Yankees’ new $11 million closer suspended 30 games under MLB’s new domestic violence policy

Chris O’Meara/AP

New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman was suspended 30 games by Major League Baseball under the league’s new domestic violence policy, The New York Times first reported.

Chapman, who was a four-time All-Star with the Reds before signing with the Yankees for $11 million this offseason, allegedly fired eight shots into a wall in his garage after an altercation with his girlfriend in late October. He will not appeal the ruling, the Times added.

The ruling marks MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s first since the league and the players association agreed to a new domestic violence policy in August. While Chapman was not charged with a crime, under the new policy Manfred can still suspend players for incidents of domestic violence even if the player was not convicted of or charged with a crime.

Chapman will reportedly lose $1.7 million in salary, and be subject to meet with the league’s treatment board.

Chapman released the following statement (via Fox’s Ken Rosenthal):

Today, I accepted a 30 game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my actions on October 30, 2015. I want to be clear, I did not in any way harm my girlfriend that evening. However, I should have exercised better judgment with respect to certain actions, and for that I am sorry. The decision to accept a suspension, as opposed to appealing one, was made after careful consideration. I made this decision in an effort to minimize the distractions that an appeal would cause the Yankees, my new teammates and most importantly, my family. I have learned from this matter, and I look forward to being part of the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.

Manfred issued the following statement: