According to Ken Rosenthal, New York Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia has been suspended 15 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s domestic violence rules.
Sources: #Mets’ Familia suspended 15 games for violating baseball’s domestic-violence policy. Announcement expected soon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 29, 2017
Familia was arrested in October and pled not guilty to domestic violence charges last November after he allegedly beat his wife, Bianca Rivas. However, the charges were dropped in December after Rivas chose to no longer pursue the case.
That said, the charges were not dropped based on any of the facts or allegations, and those allegations are bad.
The prosecutor, Arthur Balsamo, said that Familia’s wife, Bianca Rivas, had told him that scratches on her chest at the time of the episode were made by their 1-year-old son and that marks the police had spotted on her cheek came from her resting her face on her hand while lying down.
Rivas also said that two knives found on the bathroom floor by the police had been used by Familia to wedge the door shut when he had temporarily barricaded himself inside after an argument.
MLB can suspend players for domestic violence allegations, even if they are not punished by the legal system. Given the circumstances surrounding this case, Familia’s suspension seems very lenient. 15 games is just nine percent of the season.
Familia released the following statement:
Today, I accepted a 15-game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my inappropriate behavior on October 31, 2016. With all that has been written and discussed regarding this matter, it is important that it be known that I never physically touched, harmed or threatened my wife that evening. I did, however, act in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I am alone to blame for the problems of that evening.
My wife and I cooperated fully with Major League Baseball’s investigation, and I’ve taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again. I have learned from this experience, and have grown as a husband, a father, and a man.
I apologize to the Mets’ organization, my teammates, and all my fans. I look forward to rejoining the Mets and being part of another World Series run. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also released a statement.
“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. My office also received cooperation from the Fort Lee Municipal Prosecutor. 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.
“It is clear that Mr. Familia regrets what transpired that night and takes full responsibility for his actions. Mr. Familia already has undergone 12 ninety-minute counseling sessions with an approved counselor specializing in the area of domestic violence, and received a favorable evaluation from the counselor regarding his willingness to take concrete steps to ensure that he is not involved in another incident of this type. Further, he has agreed to speak to other players about what he has learned through this process, and to donate time and money to local organizations aimed at the prevention of, and the treatment of victims of, domestic violence.”
The first game Familia will be eligible to play in following his suspension will be April 20th against the Phillies at Citi Field.
