Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Tuesday that Section III.C.2 of
MLB's domestic violence policy gives him the right "to impose a paid
suspension pending resolution of the legal proceedings or an
investigation."
After a ruling is handed down in the criminal case, Manfred will
decide on MLB's disciplinary action against Reyes. A trial is
scheduled for April 4 after Reyes allegedly assaulted his wife last
October at a hotel in Hawaii.
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Reports that Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista wants a
five-year, $150 million contract are "false," he tweeted Tuesday.
A day after Bautista and his agent reportedly indicated the terms of
a contract they are seeking in a new deal with the Blue Jays, the
outfielder backed away from those comments. Blue Jays general
manager Ross Atkins also refused to go into detail or discuss any
progress made on a new deal that would start with the 2017 season.
The 35-year-old Bautista will make $14 million this season in the
final year of a six-year, $78 million contract after the Blue Jays
exercised a 2016 option. But he will be eligible to enter free
agency after the World Series. Last year, Bautista belted 40 home
runs and had 114 RBIs to help Toronto to the American League East
championship.
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Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman denied during an
interview at spring training any past involvement in using
performance-enhancing drugs.
Zimmerman was mentioned in the Al Jezeera documentary that aired in
December and quoted pharmacist Charlie Sly as saying he supplied
Delta-2, a pro-hormone drug barred by Major League Baseball. Denver
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning also was named in the story.
Zimmerman and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard both
filed defamation lawsuits against Al Jazeera after the story aired.
Zimmerman hadn't previously commented on the allegations before
arriving at spring training in Viera, Fla.
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New New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman did not participate in
spring training camp on Monday and on Tuesday found himself on the
defensive as he awaits a possible suspension for allegedly choking
and shoving his girlfriend.
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Chapman told reporters he was taking care of personal business on
Monday at his Miami home. He could very well likely have additional
professional business to take care of sometime this week as
commissioner Rob Manfred is expected rule on a possible suspension
for Chapman, who has been accused of domestic violence.
Chapman said he will appeal any discipline and added, "I never hurt
anybody. Never in my life." Manfred told reporters on Monday that
his office is "close" to a decision. Chapman was accused of choking
and shoving his girlfriend at their Miami-area home Oct. 30.
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The Detroit Tigers signed 33-year-old veteran infielder Casey
McGehee to a minor league contract.
During his seven-year career, McGehee has compiled a .259 batting
average, .319 on-base and .708 OPS. He enjoyed his best season as a
member of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 when he hit 23 homers and
knocked in 104 runs.
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The Seattle Mariners will sign Cuban center fielder Guillermo
Heredia once he passes a physical.
Thee Tacoma News Tribune reported the terms of the deal have not
been released pending the physical, which should be complete in the
next few days.
The 25-year-old Heredia recently defected from Cuba. For the past
five seasons, he has been playing with Matanzas in Mexico, where he
established residency before defecting. In Mexico, he had a .285
batting average with 23 home runs and 121 RBIs. (Editing by Steve
Keating.)
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