PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. _ Mets closer Jeurys Familia has been suspended 15 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league's domestic violence policy, MLB announced Wednesday.
Familia, who was arrested this offseason on a domestic violence charge at his home Fort Lee, N.J., will not appeal the suspension. He can still participate in all spring training and exhibition games and activities prior to Opening Day, the league said in a statement.
"My office has completed its investigation into the events leading up to Jeurys Familia's arrest on October 31, 2016," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "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," Manfred said. "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."
The Record first reported Familia's arrest, which occurred at his Fort Lee home in the early morning hours on Oct. 31 after police noticed a "scratch to the chest" and "bruise to the right cheek" of his wife, Bianca Rivas, according to a police report. The report also said there was probable cause to believe domestic violence had occurred.
"With all that has been written and discussed regarding this matter, it is important that it be known that I never physically touched, harmed or threatened my wife that evening," Familia said in a statement released Wednesday. "I did, however, act in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I am alone to blame for the problems of that evening.
"I apologize to the Mets' organization, my teammates, and all my fans," Familia said. "I look forward to rejoining the Mets and being part of another World Series run. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment."
The Mets' closer was charged with simple assault, and Rivas said in a 911 call that night that Familia was "drunk."
"My husband had a little bit of alcohol and he's going crazy," Rivas said on the call.
"It is clear that Mr. Familia regrets what transpired that night and takes full responsibility for his actions," Manfred said. "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."
The Mets also issued a statement supporting the commissioner's decision: "The Mets fully support MLB's domestic violence policy, the discipline handed down today by Commissioner Manfred, and the decision by Jeurys to accept his penalty without an appeal."
Familia pleaded not guilty to the charges in November, and they were dropped a month later. Rivas said she did not want to pursue a case against her husband, and said he did not cause the scratch and bruise.
"My wife and I cooperated fully with Major League Baseball's investigation," Familia said in his statement, "and I've taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again. I have learned from this experience, and have grown as a husband, a father, and a man."
When Familia arrived at spring training in February, he did not want to speak about the arrest due to the ongoing investigation. He pitched in two Grapefruit League games before leaving to pitch for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and he recorded two saves in the tournament.
Familia returned to the team Monday.
"Just getting together here today I'd really like to focus on baseball-related questions," Familia said through a translator on Feb. 14 during his first interview of spring training. "My lawyer's advice is that I don't speak about anything related to the case."
Manfred previously said he expected to have a decision before the start of the season, and Mets officials expected it would come sometime after the conclusion of the WBC. The team was expecting Familia to be suspended just like those who previously violated the policy.
Familia's 15-game suspension is half of the 30 games Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman received after allegedly choking his girlfriend and firing a gun although he was not arrested.
Teammate Jose Reyes was suspended 52 games last year while with the Rockies after being arrested in the offseason after allegedly throwing his wife into a glass door. The charges were eventually dropped when Reyes' wife didn't cooperate with prosecutors, and Colorado released Reyes after his suspension.
Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera received an 82-game ban _ the longest issued under the new policy _ after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman.
With Familia and Reyes, the Mets now have two violators of the league's domestic violence policy on their roster. The team received brushback last year after reuniting with Reyes.
"All I can say is both Jose and the organization will be held to a standard going forward that recognizes the seriousness of domestic abuse and a commitment to stand against it," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said after signing Reyes to a minor league deal.
In Familia's absence, the Mets will use set-up man Addison Reed as the closer. Reed is one the premier relievers in MLB, and posted a 1.97 ERA while setting up for Familia last year. Reed has 106 saves during his career, including 32 in 2014, but has just five spanning the last two seasons.
Fernando Salas, Jerry Blevins and Hansel Robles will compose the bridge to Reed.
Familia, 27, led MLB in saves last year with 51, and has 100 for his career. He's emerged into one of the game's best closers since taking over the role on a full-time basis in 2015.
He owns a career 2.46 ERA, and has endured two straight rough endings to his season after blowing three saves in the 2015 World Series and allowing the game-winning homer in the 2016 NL wild-card game.
Familia had been set to earn $7.425 million before being suspended.
