Major League Baseball is investigating abuse allegations against former Padres catcher Derek Norris by his ex-fiancee.
Kristen Eck made the allegations in an Instagram post, writing that she was "physically and mentally abused" by "the person I thought I was going to marry." She also described leaving her former fiancee last year with $300 to her name and no access to a car. While Eck did not refer to Norris by name in the post, she was previously identified as his fiancee during their relationship.
Norris, now with the Tampa Bay Rays, said the allegations "could not be further from the truth" in a statement his agent sent to the Tampa Bay Times.
"First, I want to be absolutely clear that abuse of any form, is completely unacceptable," the statement read. "Allegations regarding this issue are a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly under any circumstances. That being said, in this circumstance, the comments made by my ex-fiancee could not be further from the truth. I have NEVER been physically or emotionally abusive towards her, or anyone else in my life.
"I plan to go above and beyond to assist MLB with their investigation into this matter."
Norris, 28, spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Padres.
In a statement provided to the Union-Tribune on Wednesday, the Padres said: "We were made aware of the allegations yesterday, for the first time, and take them seriously. The Commissioner's Office is now reviewing the matter."
News of the investigation was first reported by ESPN on Tuesday night.
After the abuse allegations gained national attention, Eck wrote the following in a series of tweets: "As media gets involved and people start talking let's not focus on a single area or person. Let's not focus on a moment where no blood was shed and no bones were broken. Instead. Can we focus on the number of women who are living each day in a situation they are scared to leave. Let's look at a larger, scarier problem."
The Padres acquired Norris from the Oakland Athletics in December 2014. The one-time American League All-Star hit .250 with 14 home runs in his first season in San Diego. Last year, he hit a career-worst .186 before being traded to Washington in December.
Norris was released by the Nationals in March and subsequently signed with Tampa Bay.
