Nationals’ Castro placed on administrative leave

Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro was placed on administrative leave Friday by Major League Baseball over allegations of domestic violence.

The leave was imposed under the policy adopted by MLB and the players’ union in 2015 and can be the initial step leading to a longer suspension. The administrative leave — during which a player is paid but cannot play for up to seven days — has been extended for players under the policy in the past while MLB investigates an allegation.

Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna has been out since early June after police in Georgia said he assaulted his wife. Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has been on leave since late June after a woman in Southern California accused him of assault.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said he learned of the situation with Castro on Thursday.

“What I can tell you about myself and this organization, as you know, we do not tolerate any kind of domestic abuse,“Martinez said. “Speaking for myself, I think it’s awful.”

Castro was placed on the restricted list June 16 due to what Martinez at the time said were “family matters.” Castro, 31, was reinstated two days later and pinchhit in a game that night against the New York Mets.

“This is a totally different situation,” Martinez said. “If I would have known about this a month ago, we would have had a different conversation. I can tell you that.”

Castro is hitting .283 with three home runs and 38 RBIs in 87 games this season.

Toronto beckons: The Blue Jays have received approval from top Canadian health officials for an exemption on border restrictions that would allow them to play in Toronto this month, an official familiar with the talks said.

The Blue Jays asked the federal government to allow them to play at Rogers Centre starting July 30 and wanted a response by Friday.

The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, N.Y., and started this season in Dunedin, Fla., before moving to Buffalo. The Canadian government didn’t allow the team to play in Toronto because of the risk of spreading COVID19, citing frequent travel required in the U.S. during a baseball season.

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