Steinbrenner urges patience before judging Chapman
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner says reliever Aroldis Chapman is “innocent until proven otherwise.”
New York acquired Chapman from Cincinnati last month, after a proposed trade between the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers came apart when a Florida police investigation into an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban lefthander became public.
“In this country, when allegations are brought against a person, that person is completely innocent until proven otherwise. Not the other way around,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday at baseball’s owner’s meetings.
According to a police report, Chapman’s girlfriend told officers he pushed her, put his hands around her neck and choked her during an argument. Police said there was not sufficient evidence to charge Chapman, and the pitcher’s lawyer, denied the reported allegations.
Major League Baseball is investigating and could discipline the pitcher under its new domestic violence policy.
New York sent righthanders Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis and infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda to Cincinnati. Chapman will close for a Yankees bullpen that also includes Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances. In other baseball news: • The San Diego Padres and Fernando Rodney have agreed to a one-year deal, pending a physical exam. Rodney, who split the 2015 season with Seattle and the Chicago Cubs, is expected to take over the closer’s role vacated when Craig Kimbrel was traded to Boston.
• A person familiar with the deal says freeagent reliever Antonio Bastardo and the New York Mets have agreed to terms on a $12 million, two-year contract, pending a physical. Bastardo was 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA and one save in 66 games last season for Pittsburgh.
• Reliever Junichi Tazawa and the Boston Red Sox have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3,375,000.
Tech’s Mahomes to forgo baseball
Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes has decided to focus on football and won’t rejoin the Red Raiders baseball team this season.
Mahomes said that after talking with his family he decided it was in his “best interest” to concentrate on football and academics. He is the son of Pat Mahomes, who played for six Major League Baseball teams in an 11-year career.
Mahomes threw for 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. He also made three appearances in baseball games as a freshman. In other news: • Citadel offensive coordinator Brent Thompson was named the Bulldogs’ head coach, replacing Mike Houston, who took the same job at James Madison.
Elliott, Blues stop Red Wings
Brian Elliott stopped 29 shots, Dmitri Jaskin scored a key third-period goal, and the St. Louis Blues beat the host Detroit Red Wings 2-1.
Elliott came within 2:13 of becoming the first goalie in 69 games to shut out the Red Wings, but Henrik Zetterberg spoiled his bid with a power-play goal through Justin Abdelkader’s screen.