Arlington, Virginia – Authorities have apprehended Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera after he was accused of assaulting a woman outside of Washington. Police were called to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City and discovered a woman with visible signs of abuse once they had arrived on scene. Olivera is said to have previously known the woman, but the nature of their relationship remains unknown. Olivera was placed on administrative leave immediately following the incident.
Braves statement regarding Hector Olivera: pic.twitter.com/E3MShGUTH7
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 13, 2016
Olivera, a 31-year-old native of Cuba, signed a $62.5 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last May after defecting from Cuba. He was then dealt to the Atlanta Braves in July as part of a three-team trade. Initially a third baseman, the Braves opted to utilize the Cuban native as the team’s everyday left fielder.
While on leave, Olivera will continue to receive his $4 million salary and has the right to ask an independent arbitrator to reinstate him to the Braves’ active roster pending the MLB’s investigation. Under the league’s new policy on domestic violence, Olivera can face punishment even if there are no formal legal charges filed against him, a situation that played out in Aroldis Chapman’s thirty-game suspension for domestic abuse. Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes also awaits punishment from the MLB despite his formal charges being dismissed as well. In the interim, the Braves have recalled infielder Daniel Castro from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Olivera’s roster spot.
Olivera made his debut with the Braves in 2015 and posted a slash line of .253/.310/.405 with two home runs and eleven RBI in twenty-four games. This season, Olivera had been off to a sluggish start, slashing .211/.238/.263 with two RBI in six games. The controversy surrounding Olivera casts an even darker cloud on what has already begun as a dismal season in Atlanta. The Braves opened the season with seven straight losses.
UPDATE on Hector Olivera from source: likely make first appearance in court at 3-4 today; likely be charged w/ misdemeanor assault & battery
— Jeff Goldberg (@abc7jeffg) April 13, 2016
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