Major League Baseball has suspended Mets closer Jeurys Familia for 15 games under the league’s domestic violence policy.
Commissioner Rob Manfred released the following statement on Wednesday regarding the discipline:
“My office has completed its investigation into the events leading up to Jeurys Familia’s arrest on October 31, 2016. Mr. Familia and his wife cooperated fully throughout the investigation, including submitting to in-person interviews with MLB’s Department of Investigations.
"The evidence reviewed by my office does not support a determination that Mr. Familia physically assaulted his wife, or threatened her or others with physical force or harm, on October 31, 2016. Nevertheless, I have concluded that Mr. Familia’s overall conduct that night was inappropriate, violated the Policy, and warrants discipline."
Familia was arrested at his Fort Lee, New Jersey, home on Oct. 31 and charged with simple assault after police found reason “to believe that domestic violence had occurred.” The victim, Familia’s wife Bianca Rivas, asked for the charge to be dropped last month because she does not fear for her safety. The case against Familia was later dismissed by a judge . Under baseball’s policy, however, Manfred has the power to discipline players regardless of legal-system outcomes.
Familia and the Major League Baseball Players Association have the right to appeal Manfred’s ruling through arbitration, but the pitcher’s statement suggests that will not happen.
