Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera suspended for remainder of season for domestic violence incident
Yesterday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera has accepted a suspension for the remainder of the 2019 season (including the Postseason) for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. The unpaid suspension of Herrera will be retroactive to June 24th, will cover 85 regular season games, and any Postseason games that Herrera’s Club may play in 2019. Herrera has agreed not to appeal the discipline.
Consistent with the terms of the Policy, Herrera will participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program supervised by the Joint Policy Board.
Manfred issued the following statement regarding the discipline:
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Odúbel Herrera violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Herrera violated the Policy and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will cover the remainder of the 2019 season.”
Herrera’s disciplinary action is a result of his May 27 arrest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when he was charged with simple assault.
CNN reported that according to a post on the Atlantic City police department’s Facebook page, the agency said officers were called to the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino that evening around 8:30 p.m.
They identified the possible victim as a 20-year-old woman from Philadelphia who had visible arm and neck injuries but refused medical treatment. The woman, described as Herrera’s girlfriend, was talking with security guards when police arrived. Herrera, 27, was in his hotel room where he was arrested. He was released with a court summons
That charge of simple assault filed against the center fielder was dismissed this week.
Herrera, a.k.a. “El Torito,” will not be appealing his MLB suspension. ESPN quoted the outfielder as saying:
“I acted in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I alone am to blame for my actions.”
“I’ve taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again. I have learned from this experience, and I have grown as a person. I apologize to the Phillies’ organization, my teammates and all my fans. I look forward to rejoining the Phillies once my suspension is served and to continuing to work on being a better partner, teammate and person.”
The front office for the Philadelphia Phillies issued a statement supporting the decision by the Commissioner’s Office to suspend Herrera for his violation of the MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence Policy. They stated that, “All instances of domestic violence and abuse are abhorrent and unacceptable, and we unequivocally support Baseball’s collective efforts to prevent domestic abuse. We are encouraged by Odúbel’s acceptance of his discipline as an indication of his willingness to learn from this and change his behavior appropriately.”
ESPN went on to report that Herrera’s suspension will cost him $2,634,409 of his $5 million salary for this season. “He is in the third year of a $30.5 million, five-year contract and is due to make $7 million next season and $10 million in 2021. Philadelphia has club options for 2022 and ’23.”
For more on Herrera’s arrest this May, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: MLB)
~ Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
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