Manfred Nears Decisions On Domestic Violence Cases; Not Clear If That Includes Yankees' Chapman
PHOENIX (CBSNewYork/AP) — Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says "additional progress" has been made toward decisions on two of the first three cases under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy and he expects an announcement in the next couple of days.
Manfred spoke Monday during his visit to the Cactus League in Arizona, three days after a media availability in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Manfred would not specify which two cases he was going to rule on. MLB has been investigating Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Chapman, who was acquired in a December trade with the Cincinnati Reds, won't face criminal charges in his case. Authorities in Florida concluded last month there was not sufficient evidence to charge the flame-throwing lefty in the Oct. 30 incident.
According to a police report, Chapman's girlfriend, 22-year-old Cristina Barnea, told police the pitcher pushed and choked her at his home before he fired several shots inside his garage.
Chapman, 27, was not arrested because police reportedly determined there were inconsistencies in accounts about what had happened and they did not see any marks around his girlfriend's neck. Barnea later told prosecutors she didn't recall saying Chapman had hit her.
Prosecutors also said if Chapman did fire his gun, he did not violate any Florida laws because he did it on private property and no one was injured by the shots.
Chapman said last week that he will appeal if he is suspended.
Chapman received an "excused absence" from spring training Monday for "personal reasons," general manager Brian Cashman said. Cashman said Chapman made the request last week and he is expected back Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Manfred said there are discussions about a regular-season game in Europe, though it might need to be at a non-traditional time given weather considerations.
He says, "We are interested in playing somewhere in Europe, London in particular."
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