MLB Star Odúbel Herrera Suspended Remainder of Season over Domestic Violence Arrest
Philadelphia Phillies star Odúbel Herrera’s season is over after the outfielder was suspended this week for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
Herrera was arrested in May and and charged with simple assault for allegedly attacking his girlfriend.
He was then placed on administrative leave while MLB investigated the situation.
On Friday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement regarding Herrera’s suspension.
“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,” Manfred said, per MLB.com.
“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 suspension is retroactive to June 24 and will result in him missing 85 regular season games.
He also won’t be eligible to participate in the postseason if the Phillies qualify.
Herrera’s salary this season is $5.35 million. Since he won’t be paid during his suspension, he’ll likely lose out on at least $2,634,409, according to the New York Post.
Earlier in the week, Fox News reported the charges against Herrera had been dropped after his girlfriend, Melany Martinez-Angulo, declined to press charges.
But Herrera was still ordered to “complete counseling within 60 days as a condition of the dismissal,” according to Fox.
“Ms. Martinez and Mr. Herrera are looking forward to getting on with their lives and on with their loving relationship together,” Herrera’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, told reporters.
Under the terms of MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence Policy, Herrera must also “participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program supervised by the Joint Policy Board,” MLB.com noted.
Herrera said he will not appeal the decision by MLB, and will instead work toward learning and growing from this experience.
“Today, I accepted a suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my inappropriate behavior,” Herrera said in a statement released by the MLB Players Association. “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,” he added.
The Major League Baseball Players Association is releasing the following statement on behalf of Odúbel Herrera: pic.twitter.com/xnRyZ6AkoI
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) July 5, 2019
“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.”
Herrera finishes the season with a .222 average, one home run and 16 runs batted in.
He had been the Phillies primary center-fielder and was at one point flanked by two former MVPs in the outfield — Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen.
With McCutchen also out for the rest of the season due to injury, the Phillies have lost two of their starting outfielders.
To help brace for the loss of Herrera, the Phillies traded for Jay Bruce in early June after he started the season with the Mariners.
Herrera is signed with the Phillies through the 2021 season, with additional team options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, per baseball-reference.com.
He is a former All-Star, having made National League squad in 2016.
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