MLB pitcher suspended 100 games after domestic violence arrest
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Jose Torres has been suspended for the rest of the 2018 season for violating MLB’s domestic abuse policy.
The suspension is retroactive to Saturday and will cover the team’s final 100 games of the season, for which Torres will not be paid.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the following on Torres’ status:
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegation that Jose Torres 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. Torres violated the Policy and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will cover the balance of the season.”
Torres was arrested in December after a dispute with his wife at their Phoenix home. The pitcher allegedly brandished a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at the victim, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. The report said it was being handled as a domestic violence case.
#Breaking .@Padres pitcher Jose Torres is suspended by the MLB for violating the league's domestic violence policy https://t.co/2Zu2JcJzWl pic.twitter.com/uUHkPMYBzC
— ABC 10News San Diego (@10News) June 8, 2018
Torres was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage and making threats or intimidation. In February, he was placed on MLB’s restricted list by the Padres, which precluded him from attending spring training.
In addition to this domestic abuse case, he also had another pending case in Arizona on a marijuana violation and was cited for drug possession paraphernalia.
The Padres released a statement on Torres’ suspension in which they said they support MLB’s decision.
Statement from the Padres on Jose Torres: pic.twitter.com/Up2FBkKp2S
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 8, 2018
Torres is scheduled for a hearing on June 18 before Judge Peter Thompson of Phoenix’s Maricopa County Superior Court.
His trial is scheduled for July 2, but the case could be settled before then, according to a spokesman for the court.
Torres was one of San Diego’s most active relievers last season as he appeared in 62 games, second among Padres pitchers.
He posted a 4.21 ERA across 68.1 innings, with most of that coming in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
Despite not starting a game, Torres went 7-4 last season, and with his seven victories out of the bullpen he was tied for the MLB lead among lefty relievers.
Torres made his MLB debut in 2016 after being traded from the Athletics organization before the season. He first signed with the Athletics as a 16-year-old international free agent in 2010.
The Padres (29-36) have the worst record in the NL West but are still just 5.5 games back of the division-leading Diamondbacks.
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