Report: Aroldis Chapman suspension could include spring training games
If Aroldis Chapman is suspended for October's domestic violence incident, the ban could include spring training games according to a New York Daily News report.
At some point soon, commissioner Rob Manfred will announce some sort of discipline for Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman stemming from October's domestic violence incident at his Miami home. A suspension is likely, though Manfred could recommend a treatment program as well.
The league's collectively bargained domestic violence policy is relatively new and there have been no suspensions yet. There is zero precedent. As it turns out, Manfred has the power to hand down any discipline he sees fit, including a suspension that covers spring training.
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has the details:
Assuming Chapman is disciplined by Manfred - as most in the game believe he will be - the possibilities include a ban from major-league camp, a ban from all team facilities including minor-league camp, or simply a suspension from regular-season games which would allow Chapman to remain with the team between now and Opening Day.
On Friday, we heard Chapman could be required to relinquish his guns or even relocate as part of a treatment program. Chapman plans to appeal any punishment but the suspension would stand while they wait for the appeal to be heard. He would be unable to play.
Suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs or on-field behavior (charging the mound, etc.) are only served during regular season games, and players are allowed to play while they wait for the appeal. Clearly the domestic violence policy has much more strict parameters.
Chapman allegedly pushed and choked his girlfriend during the incident back in October. He admitted to police he fired eight rounds from a handgun in his garage. No arrests were made that night and Chapman will not be charged with a crime. The domestic violence policy allows Manfred to hand down a suspension without an arrest or charges, however.
Chapman is not the only player being investigated under the domestic violence policy. Both Jose Reyes and Yasiel Puig are as well. Reyes allegedly assaulted his wife in Hawaii while Puig was involved in a bar fight in Miami. Reyes is facing criminal charges -- his trial begins in April -- though Puig is not.
