Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that New York Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman has accepted a 30-game suspension without pay for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. The suspension of Chapman will be effective on Opening Day of the Yankees' 2016 regular season. Chapman has agreed not to appeal this discipline. Chapman will be permitted to continue to participate in all Spring Training and pre-season games and activities prior to the commencement of his suspension.
Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement regarding the discipline:
"I asked my staff to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident involving Aroldis Chapman on October 30, 2015. Much of the information regarding the incident has been made public through documents released by law enforcement. Mr. Chapman submitted to an in-person interview with counsel present. After reviewing the staff report, I found Mr. Chapman's acknowledged conduct on that day to be inappropriate under the negotiated Policy, particularly his use of a firearm and the impact of that behavior on his partner. I am gratified that Mr. Chapman has taken responsibility for his conduct, that he has agreed not to appeal the 30-game suspension, and that he has agreed to comply with the confidential directives of the Joint Policy Board established under the parties' Policy to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future."