Former AllStar Herrera suspended
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera has been suspended for the rest of the season for a violation of Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
The commissioner’s office announced the decision Friday, two days after domestic assault charges against Herrera were dismissed in Atlantic City, N.J. He had been charged with assault and knowingly causing bodily injury stemming from an incident on May 27 at the Golden Nugget Casino. The woman, his girlfriend, declined to press charges.
“I acted in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I alone am to blame for my actions,” Herrera said in a statement issued through the players’ association. “I’ve taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again.
“I have learned from this experience, and I have grown as a person. I apologize to the Phillies’ organization, my teammates, and all my fans.”
Herrera said he intends to “work on being a better partner, teammate, and person.”
Herrera’s suspension would include any postseason games. He will lose $2.6 million of his $5 million salary. He is in the third year of a $30.5 million, fiveyear contract and is due to make $7 million next season and $10 million in 2021. The Phillies have club options for 2022 and ’23.
“We are encouraged by Odubel’s acceptance of his discipline as an indication of his willingness to learn from this and change his behavior appropriately,” the team said in a statement.
An AllStar center fielder in 2016, Herrera hit .222 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 39 games this season. He missed time in April with a hamstring injury. Newest AllStars: In addition to A’s reliever Liam Hendriks being added to the AL roster, Indians pitcher Shane Bieber and Dodgers infielder Max Muncy were added to the AllStar squads for Tuesday’s game in Cleveland.
Injuries to Rays righthander Charlie Morton, Rangers lefthander Mike Minor and Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon created the openings. Briefly: Righthander Corbin Martin, who made five starts for the Astros this season, had Tommy John surgery, general manager Jeff Luhnow told reporters . ... The Diamondbacks placed outfielder David Peralta on the 10day injured list with right shoulder inflammation . ... The Tigers signed general manager Al Avila to a multiyear contract extension . ... Retired pitcher Chris Capuano has been hired as director of operations of the players’ union.