Baseball season is underway, but Jose Reyes remains in purgatory… for now.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday he will rule soon on how long a suspension the Rockies’ shortstop will face for a domestic violence incident in Maui on Oct. 31. Reyes allegedly grabbed his wife by throat and threw her against a glass door. Hawaii prosecutors last week dismissed charges against the 32-year-old because his wife declined to cooperate with police.
Reyes is currently on paid leave, as Manfred makes his decision on proper punishment under baseball’s new domestic violence policy. The commissioner had been waiting for the courts to take action before issuing his own penalty. Via the AP, here’s what the Manfred said Tuesday:
“The ability of law enforcement to provide us with information generally goes up and they have more flexibility to provide us with information once the legal process comes to an end one way or another,” Manfred said Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.
“We’re trying to take advantage of additional flexibility to get all the information that’s available as quickly as possible.”
Reyes’ suspension is expected to at least match the 30-game punishment Manfred issued to Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman for a similar incident in which no arrest was made.
Because MLB’s domestic violence policy is brand new this year, every ruling will set a precedent for future cases, making Reyes’ situation particularly noteworthy. Manfred has to pick a punishment that will not only stand up to short-term scrutiny but also serve as a long-term standard-setter.
