Another Major League Baseball star has been arrested on domestic violence charges. Jeurys Familia, the All-Star closer for the New York Mets, was arrested and charged with simple assault and a disorderly persons offense for an incident that occurred early on Monday in New Jersey. The Mets issued a statement on Tuesday, when the team and the league were made aware of the incident. MLB is now looking into the matter.
Mets say they know about Jeurys Familia’s arrest and are monitoring the situation. MLB says they are investigating the matter.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) November 1, 2016
Jeurys Familia Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges
According to the Fort Lee police report, Familia caused “bodily harm to another”. A scratch and a bruise were observed on the right cheek of the victim, whose name has not been released. The Police responded to an apartment on Park Avenue at 2:22 a.m. on Monday after being called about a possible dispute. The police found probably cause to believe that domestic violence had occurred, and arrested Familia. He was then released after posting bail.
Familia, a 2016 All-Star who saved 51 games for the Mets this year, lives with his wife, Bianca, and their son, Jeurys Jr. Ironically, he was part of an ad campaign that began last month which features New York sports celebrities condemning domestic violence. In the video, Familia states in Spanish that he is “not a fan of domestic violence”.
Familia joins an ever-growing list of MLB players charged with domestic violence. Aroldis Chapman, Hector Olivera, and Jose Reyes all served suspensions during the 2016 season as punishment for similar offenses. Chapman, though never arrested, received a 30-game ban. Reyes missed 51 games, and Olivera sat out 82 games. MLB will likely issue a punishment even if the charges are dropped, and Familia will probably receive a suspension more in the range of what Reyes and Olivera got than what Reyes got. Like them, and unlike Chapman, he was arrested and charged.
Major League Baseball will undoubtedly take this issue very seriously, as they should. While Familia is, by law, innocent until proven guilty, domestic violence has no place anywhere in society, let alone professional baseball. Familia will likely face stiff consequences from the league.
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