Dominican infielder Starlin Castro of the Washington Nationals received a 30-day suspension without pay and a fine of an undisclosed amount for violating Major League Baseball policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
Shortly after Major League Baseball announced the penalty on Friday, the Nationals reported that they will discharge Castro once he serves the penalty.
Castro will be ineligible for the postseason under the terms of the suspension and will undergo an evaluation and treatment, Major League Baseball said.
“After reviewing all available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Castro violated our policy and it is appropriate to impose punishment,” Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had pointed out this month during the Major League Baseball investigation of the Castro allegations that he did not plan to have him back on the team this season.
“We take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously. We fully support the commissioner’s decision, ”the team stressed in a statement after the Major League Baseball announcement of the penalty.
Castro was charged with sexual assault in connection with a 2011 Chicago incident but no charges were brought against him. Rizzo asserted that Castro’s situation was reviewed before the Nationals signed him to a two-year contract in January 2020 and said he was “angry” at the new accusations.
The 31-year-old Dominican player has played 12 seasons in the Major Leagues and has been selected to the All-Star Game four times. He has worn the uniforms of the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. This season he appeared in 87 games for Washington, mostly at third base. (AFP)