BOSTON -- Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright has accepted a 15-game suspension without pay for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, it was announced on Friday.
Wright has agreed not to appeal the discipline, and he's eligible to continue to participate in all Spring Training activities prior to Opening Day, which is on Thursday.
Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement:
"My office has completed its investigation into the events leading up to Steven Wright's arrest on the evening of Dec. 8, 2017. Mr. Wright cooperated with the investigation. While it is clear that Mr. Wright regrets what transpired that evening, takes full responsibility for his actions and has committed himself to the treatment and counseling components of the policy, I have concluded that Mr. Wright's conduct on Dec. 8 violated the policy and warrants discipline.
"In addition to serving a 15-game suspension, Mr. Wright 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."
The suspension will start as soon as Wright is placed on the Red Sox's active roster for the regular season. There's some question of when that would be, due to the fact the right-hander underwent left knee surgery last season and is a candidate to start the season on the disabled list.
The Red Sox issued the following statement:
"We fully support MLB's Domestic Violence Policy, the discipline set forth by the Commissioner's Office and Steven's acceptance of the ruling. While we are disappointed that this incident occurred, we are encouraged that Steven is taking meaningful steps to learn from this unfortunate incident."
Wright has been going at a slower pace than the other pitchers during Spring Training. He threw in a Minor League game on Thursday, but he has yet to make a Grapefruit League start.
If Wright's suspension starts at the beginning of the regular season, the first date he would be eligible to pitch for Boston is April 16 at Fenway Park against the Orioles. It remains to be seen if Wright will be in the rotation or the bullpen when he returns.
For the start of the regular season, the Red Sox will go with a rotation of Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello for the first three games at Tropicana Field against the Rays. Christopher Johnson will pitch the fifth game of the season against Miami. The starter for the finale of the season-opening four-game series against the Rays is TBD, but lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who has made strong progress in his return from right knee surgery, is a candidate.