Phillies' Odubel Herrera suspended for season for violating MLB domestic violence policy
Major League Baseball has announced that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera will be suspended for the rest of the 2019 season for violating the league’s domestic violence policy.
MLB announces Odubel Herrera is suspended the rest of the season for violating the league’s domestic violence policy.
— Todd Dybas (@Todd_Dybas) July 5, 2019
Herrera, 27, was arrested in May after he was allegedly involved in an incident with his girlfriend at a casino in Atlantic City. Police said the victim had “visible signs of injury to her arms and neck.”
On Wednesday, charges against Herrera were dropped during a court appearance.
Herrera was put on administrative leave by MLB following his arrest. Herrera’s leave was extended through his court appearance. He was eligible to return on Friday. The Phillies were not planning to activate Herrera, and now the league has ruled out a comeback this season.
Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement regarding Herrera’s suspension:
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Odubel Herrera violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Herrera violated the Policy and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will cover the remainder of the 2019 season.”
Herrera’s suspension is retroactive to June 24 and will cover a total of 85 regular season games. He’s also ineligible to play in the 2019 postseason. Herrera has agreed to not appeal the league’s discipline and will not be paid for the remainder of the season.
It’s not the first time MLB has elected to suspend a player under the domestic violence policy despite charges being dropped, but it is the longest suspension under those circumstances.
New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was suspended 30 games in 2016 after he allegedly choked his girlfriend and fired bullets into his garage. Jose Reyes (51 games) and Jeurys Familia (15 games) also received suspensions for alleged domestic assaults that were not charged.
It’s the second longest suspension overall under MLB’s domestic violence policy.
Herrera's suspension is the second-longest issued by MLB since the domestic violence policy was agreed upon prior to 2016 season. Only San Diego's Jose Torres had a longer one (100 games).
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 5, 2019
Late Friday, Herrera released a statement on his suspension through the MLBPA.
The Phillies have also released a statement:
#Phillies have issued the following statement on the suspension of Odúbel Herrera: pic.twitter.com/tNA3cD8jEn
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 5, 2019
Herrera was in his fifth season with the Phillies.
He was named to the National League All-Star team in 2016 and subsequently inked a five-year, $30 million contract that will run through the 2021 season.
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