The New York Yankees were aware they were assuming some short-term risk when they acquired flame-throwing, southpaw closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds.
He had been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the offseason, but the deal fell through. It eventually became known that Chapman, 28, could be facing domestic violence charges related to an incident with his ex-girlfriend in which he allegedly choked her and also fired a shotgun eight times inside the garage of his Miami-area home.
BREAKING: MLB suspends Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman 30 games for violating league’s new domestic violence policy. pic.twitter.com/o9X6ZPmetr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2016
Chapman has declined to appeal. He released the following statement on Tuesday,
“I want to be clear, I did not in any way harm my girlfriend that evening. However, I should have exercised better judgment with respect to certain actions, and for that I am sorry,” Chapman said in a statement. “The decision to accept a suspension, as opposed to appealing one, was made after careful consideration. I made this decision in an effort to minimize the distractions that an appeal would cause the Yankees, my new teammates and most importantly, my family. I have learned from this matter, and I look forward to being part of the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.”
Chapman will surrender $1,856,557 of his $11,325,000 salary for 2016 and 30 days of MLB service. However, he’ll still have enough service time to become a free agent at the end of the season.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred also released a statement.
Commissioner Rob Manfred’s statement on Aroldis Chapman’s 30 game suspension
(via @MLB_PR) pic.twitter.com/lHOuQFs5AK
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 1, 2016
The Yankees will get Chapman back on May 9 even if 30 games have not been played due to cancellation. The ‘Bronx Bombers’ have an incredibly stacked bullpen. In all likelihood, Andrew Miller will assume the closing role, and Dellin Betances will serve as his set-up man until Chapman returns.
