WASHINGTON -- Braves left fielder Hector Olivera was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery in connection with an alleged assault of a woman at the team's hotel in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday morning.
Major League Baseball placed Olivera on administrative leave, and the Commissioner's Office has begun an investigation to determine whether Olivera has violated the Joint Domestic Violence Policy that was instituted in August.
"We are extremely disappointed and troubled to learn of the allegations involving Hector Olivera," the Braves said in a statement. "We will continue to gather information and will address this matter appropriately as we determine the facts."
According to the police report, Olivera's female acquaintance alerted authorities of the alleged assault at 6:51 a.m. ET. The victim had visible bruising and was transported to the Virginia Hospital Center, where she remained until Wednesday afternoon.
Olivera was taken into custody at the team hotel. He posted a $10,000 bond early Wednesday evening and now might return to his home in Miami.
"It's disappointing," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I don't want to comment on it because there's an ongoing investigation with MLB and local authorities. I'm just going to leave it at that for now. It doesn't matter if you're 7-0 or 0-7, when something like this happens, it's not good."
Under the terms of the Joint Domestic Violence Policy, the Commissioner may place an accused player on paid administrative leave for up to seven days while allegations are investigated. The Commissioner will decide on appropriate discipline, with no minimum or maximum penalty under the policy. Players may challenge such decisions to the arbitration panel.
Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman is currently serving a 30-day suspension, despite the fact that charges were dropped after he was accused of striking and choking his girlfriend on Oct. 30.
The Braves acquired Olivera on July 30, 2015 via a 13-player trade that sent Atlanta's former top prospect, Jose Peraza, and Alex Wood to the Dodgers, who essentially ate half of the six-year, $62.5 million deal that Olivera signed with them just four months earlier.
Because he was sidelined by a hamstring injury, Olivera did not make his Major League debut until the Braves added him to the big league roster on Sept. 1. Olivera compiled a .715 OPS over 24 games last year and struggled defensively at third base.
The Braves sent Olivera to the Puerto Rican Winter League to transition to left field and make some mechanical adjustments to his swing.
Olivera defected from Cuba in September 2014 and played for two organizations while adjusting to life in the United States. Atlanta was hoping that the outfielder would prove to be more comfortable and productive this year. But since showing some encouraging signs during Spring Training, he has four hits and five strikeouts in 19 regular-season at-bats.