Mets’ Jeurys Familia suspended 15 games for violating domestic violence policy

Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that Mets right-handed pitcher Jeurys Familia violated MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, and has been handed a 15-game suspension without pay.

Familia has opted not to appeal the decision, and his suspension will begin on Opening Day of the 2017 season. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal was the first with news of the suspension, which MLB confirmed with a formal announcement soon after.

As a result of the suspension, Familia will lose over $700,000 between games and off-days, according to Rosenthal.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement regarding the decision:

“My office has completed its investigation into the events leading up to Jeurys Familia’s arrest on October 31, 2016. Mr. Familia and his wife cooperated fully throughout the investigation, including submitting to in-person interviews with MLB’s Department of Investigations. My office also received cooperation from the Fort Lee Municipal Prosecutor. The evidence reviewed by my office does not support a determination that Mr. Familia physically assaulted his wife, or threatened her or others with physical force or harm, on October 31, 2016. Nevertheless, I have concluded that Mr. Familia’s overall conduct that night was inappropriate, violated the Policy, and warrants discipline.

“It is clear that Mr. Familia regrets what transpired that night and takes full responsibility for his actions. Mr. Familia already has undergone 12 ninety-minute counseling sessions with an approved counselor specializing in the area of domestic violence, and received a favorable evaluation from the counselor regarding his willingness to take concrete steps to ensure that he is not involved in another incident of this type. Further, he has agreed to speak to other players about what he has learned through this process, and to donate time and money to local organizations aimed at the prevention of, and the treatment of victims of, domestic violence.”

Familia also released a statement:

Today, I accepted a 15-game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my inappropriate behavior on October 31, 2016. With all that has been written and discussed regarding this matter, it is important that it be known that I never physically touched, harmed or threatened my wife that evening. I did, however, act in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I am alone to blame for the problems of that evening. My wife and I cooperated fully with Major League Baseball’s investigation, and I’ve taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again. I have learned from this experience, and have grown as a husband, a father, and a man. I apologize to the Mets’ organization, my teammates, and all my fans. I look forward to rejoining the Mets and being part of another World Series run. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.

As stated above, Familia has already completed 12 90-minute counseling sessions, and will also make a contribution to a charity. Familia’s wife is said to vehemently dispute the accusation of events, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

The suspension comes only months after Familia appeared in an MLB anti-domestic violence campaign. In November, Familia was arrested for simple assault on a domestic violence charge, which the Mets confirmed.