Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes won’t even practice during spring training until his legal troubles are resolved.
Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Reyes will go on paid leave during spring training. Reyes was arrested in Hawaii in November after allegedly assaulting his wife.
In a statement, commissioner Rob Manfred said Reyes will remain on paid leave “pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii.”
Manfred’s entire statement read:
Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Jose Reyes has been placed on paid leave pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii, pursuant to Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Section III.C.2 of the Policy permits the Commissioner to impose a paid suspension pending resolution of the legal proceedings or an investigation.
Upon resolution of Reyes’ criminal proceedings and the completion of the Commissioner’s Office’s investigation into the incident, Commissioner Manfred will make a decision whether to impose discipline on Reyes. The Commissioner’s Office will have no further comment on this matter until a final disposition is announced.
Reyes’ trial is set to take place April 4, which happens to be opening day. Based on the wording in Manfred’s statement, that means Reyes’ suspension could extend into the regular season. Reyes’ paid leave only counts towards regular season games. Players are not paid during spring training.
Under the league’s new domestic violence, which was announced in August, Manfred holds ultimate power of punishment in these types of cases. According to the language in the policy, Manfred “can issue the discipline he believes is appropriate in light of the severity of the conduct.”
