Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that New York Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia has accepted a 15-game suspension without pay for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Familia's suspension will begin on Opening Day of the Mets' 2017 regular season. Familia has agreed not to appeal this discipline. Familia is eligible to continue to participate in all Spring Training and exhibition games and activities prior to Opening Day.
Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement regarding the discipline:
"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."