TAMPA, Fla. -- As Aroldis Chapman continues to await word from Major League Baseball regarding potential discipline in connection with a domestic-violence incident, the Yankees' closer received what general manager Brian Cashman called an "excused absence" from Spring Training camp on Monday.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said late last week that he is close to ruling on pending domestic-violence cases involving Chapman, Jose Reyes and Yasiel Puig. Cashman said that Chapman requested the day off for "personal reasons" about a week ago and is expected to return to camp on Tuesday.
"There was a date today that we knew he would not be here," Cashman said. "He asked for permission in advance and we provided it, and you'll see him again [Tuesday]."
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Cashman said that there will be another date later in camp when Chapman is expected to be absent, adding, "Same thing. Not same issue."
Chapman was acquired from Cincinnati for four players on Dec. 28, several weeks after a trade with the Dodgers fell through in the wake of knowledge surfacing of an Oct. 30 incident involving Chapman's girlfriend, during which the pitcher allegedly fired eight gunshots into the garage of his Davie, Fla., home.
No criminal charges were filed following investigations by the Davie Police Department and the Office of the State Attorney, citing conflicting accounts and insufficient evidence.
Chapman has spoken to investigators from MLB and said that he plans to appeal if suspended. Cashman declined to speculate on MLB's timetable for an announcement, saying that he expects Commissioner Manfred to be "very methodical" with the case.
"They've got a great investigative team and they're going to go through it all and make an informed decision, and we'll support whatever decision that is," Cashman said.