MLB investigating domestic abuse allegations against Jose Reyes
Major League Baseball said Tuesday it is investigating the "facts and circumstances" of Jose Reyes' reported alleged assault of his wife on Oct. 31 in Hawaii.
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Major League Baseball said Tuesday it is investigating the "facts and circumstances" of Jose Reyes' reported alleged assault of his wife on Oct. 31 in Hawaii.
Reyes, a veteran shortstop with the Colorado Rockies, was arrested after he allegedly grabbed his wife, Katherine, by the throat and shoved her into a sliding glass balcony door in the couple's Maui hotel room, according to Hawaii News Now. The news station reported Reyes, 32, a four-time All-Star, was released on bail.
"As evidenced by our joint domestic violence policy, Major League Baseball understands the seriousness of the issues surrounding domestic violence, and our policy explicitly recognizes the harm resulting from such acts," Major League Baseball said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
"Consistent with the terms of this policy, the commissioner's office already has begun its investigation into the facts and circumstances. Any action taken by the commissioner's office in this matter will be wholly in accordance with this policy."
Asked about the allegations against Reyes in a news conference Tuesday morning at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, site of this week's general manager meetings, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said, "Obviously, it's an issue of concern to us."
Reyes' case will be the first test of MLB's new domestic violence policy, adopted in August after negotiations between the commissioner's office and the Major League Baseball Players' Association. The joint policy concerns domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
"I think that the key from our perspective was being proactive and negotiating what we see as a comprehensive policy with the MLBPA, so that everybody knows how the process is going to work and how we're going to move forward together," Manfred said.
"The second word that I would like to emphasize there is comprehensive. This is not just a discipline policy. It is a policy that requires evaluation, counseling, a variety of other activities in addition to the disciplinary component. We felt good about the policy when we negotiated it. This will be the first test, and I think that it will stand the test."
Other notes from Manfred's morning news conference:
-Manfred reiterated that his decision on whether to reinstate Pete Rose will be come down before the end of the year. Rose presented his case to Manfred in a September meeting at baseball's headquarters in New York City.
-The topic of increased netting at major-league ballparks to enhance fan safety is on the docket for next week's owners meetings in Dallas. If baseball moves forward with increased netting, it would need to be tailored to each ballpark given the variations in design, Manfred said.
-Manfred said he is still hoping to hold exhibition games in Cuba this spring. "There are a variety of issues involved there, not all of which are wholly within baseball's control," he said. "Obviously, the federal government has some significant influence on whether that's going to take place and there are issues that need to be resolved before that can happen. But I'd like to say yes to that. I am still committed to the idea that it would be a good thing for baseball to be able to play in Cuba next spring."