Reyes banned through May under MLB domestic violence policy

NEW YORK (AP) — Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was suspended through May 31 on Friday, the second player penalized under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

Reyes accepted the punishment and won’t appeal, the commissioner’s office said. The penalty stemmed from an alleged altercation with his wife at a Hawaii resort last October.

The four-time All-Star will lose $6,251,366 of his $22 million salary, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that aspect of the penalty wasn’t made public.

“I want to apologize for everything that has happened,” Reyes said in a statement released by the players’ union. “I am sorry to the Rockies organization, my teammates, all the fans and most of all my family.”

The 32-year-old player has been away from the Rockies since late February and will miss the first two months of the season.

Earlier this week, New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman joined the team after serving a 29-game penalty.

Discipline under the MLB policy isn’t predicated on a conviction. Reyes had been scheduled to go to trial April 4 after pleading not guilty to abusing a family or household member. Hawaii prosecutors dropped charges before the trial date and said his wife was not cooperating.

Reyes is a career .290 hitter with 479 stolen bases in 13 seasons. He won the 2011 NL batting title while with the New York Mets — the Mets were set to play at Colorado on Friday night.

Rookie Trevor Story has filled in during Reyes’ absence and been one of baseball’s big surprises this season. Story hit two home runs off Arizona ace Zack Greinke on opening day in his major league debut. Story ranks among the big league leaders with 11 homers and 27 RBIs and is batting .266.

Reyes’ penalty without pay was retroactive to Feb. 23, when he was put on leave. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Reyes has agreed to contribute $100,000 to one or more charitable groups that focus on preventing and treating survivors of domestic violence.

“I am encouraged by Mr. Reyes’ commitment to the treatment provisions of the policy in order to ensure that such an incident does not occur in the future,” Manfred said in a statement.

Reyes can take part in extended spring training during the rest of his suspension, and could begin an on-field rehabilitation assignment starting June 1.

Last Oct. 31, Reyes was arrested at a Maui resort. According to a recording of a 911 call released by police, a hotel security guard reported the woman had injuries to her leg and scratches on her neck.

Reyes was released after posting $1,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from his wife for three days. He pleaded not guilty to abusing a family or household member.

Chapman agreed in March to a 30-game suspension after an altercation with his girlfriend last October in Florida. A rainout cut the games he missed to 29. He lost about $1.8 million of his $11.3 million salary.

Chapman’s girlfriend told police he pushed and choked her. Chapman said there was an argument but that he was pushed down by his girlfriend’s brother. The pitcher said he eventually got a handgun and fired eight shots into a wall and window while locked in his garage.

Florida authorities declined to file charges, saying conflicting accounts and insufficient evidence made a conviction unlikely.