At last, we know the fate of Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes. Major League Baseball announced Friday that Reyes would be suspended until May 31 under the league's recently adopted policy against domestic violence.
His suspension, however, is retroactive to Feb. 23, when he was placed on leave by MLB. He'll lose his pay from Feb. 23 until May 31, which amounts to a 52-game suspension worth $7.06 million of his $22 million salary. Reyes also agreed to give $100,000 to a domestic-violence prevention charity.
The suspension is the second handed down by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred under the league's policy, which was put in place last August. New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman was the first player suspended, getting a 30-game penalty from which he was cleared to return to action on Monday. Reyes was always expected to get a stiffer penalty than Chapman, since Reyes was arrested and Chapman wasn't. The decision in the Reyes case, though, had been lingering for months, as a watchful public waited to see how Manfred would handle this case.
Manfred said in a statement:
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegation that Jose Reyes committed an act of domestic violence on October 31, 2015. The investigation was prolonged and complicated initially by the existence of a pending criminal proceeding against Mr. Reyes in Hawaii involving the same allegation, which has since been dismissed. Mr. Reyes cooperated fully with my office’s investigation. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Reyes violated the Policy and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will expire on May 31st. I am encouraged by Mr. Reyes’ commitment to the treatment provisions of the Policy in order to ensure that such an incident does not occur in the future. Mr. Reyes also agreed to contribute a total of $100,000 to one or more charitable organizations focused on preventing and treating survivors of domestic violence.”
Reyes, 32, was arrested following a domestic dispute on Halloween in Maui after he was alleged to have grabbed his wife by the throat and shoved her into a sliding glass door. Prior to Friday's suspension, Reyes had been on paid leave from the Rockies since mid-February, as ordered by MLB as it determined a punishment for the four-time All-Star.
He had been set to stand trial in Maui on charges of "abusing of a family and/or household member" in early April, but the charges were eventually dropped when Reyes' wife refused to cooperate. In the months following his arrest, Reyes has tried to put forth a good public face about his relationship with his wife. He posted the following on Instagram on Mother's Day along with a picture of the two of them:
Through all the highs and the lows, through thick & thin you've stuck by me and have always had my back. You've given me the biggest treasure a man can ask for: a family of his own and I'll always be grateful for that. Words can't express how much you mean to me but I just wanted to make sure that you know you are appreciated. You are the biggest role model our daughters can have... HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!
Reyes said in a statement after the suspenion was announce:
"I want to apologize for everything that has happened. I am sorry to the Rockies organization, my teammates, all the fans and most of all my family. I am happy to put this all in the past and get back to doing what I love the most, playing baseball. My wife Katherine has remained by my side throughout everything and for that I will be forever grateful."
The Rockies actually haven't missed Reyes too much. Trevor Story took over the starting shortstop job in Reyes' absence and became of the biggest stars of the early 2016 season. Story, a 23-year-old rookie, has 11 homers, which is tied for second in the NL, plus 27 RBIs, which is sixth-most in the NL.
MLB says that Reyes can take part is extended spring training activities during the last few weeks of his suspension, then be eligible for a minor-league rehab assignment starting June 1. However, ESPN's Buster Olney reported Friday that teams are interested in trading for Reyes once he returns, so he could very well be playing somewhere other than Colorado soon.
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