Nationals' Starlin Castro placed on administrative leave originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been placed on administrative leave under MLB's Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy in conjunction with the MLBPA, the league announced on Friday.
"The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been placed on Administrative Leave under the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy," MLB said in a statement. "Per the policy, the initial period of Administrative Leave may last up to seven days, barring an extension. MLB will provide further comment at the appropriate time."
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The policy was 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.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said he learned of the situation Thursday night.
“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.”
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Castro was placed on the restricted list June 16 due to what Martinez at the time said were “family matters.” The 31-year-old infielder was reinstated two days later and pinch-hit 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.”
In his second season with the Nationals Castro appeared in 87 games in the first half, primarily acting as the team's starting third baseman. Castro is hitting .283 with three home runs and 38 RBIs.
The Nationals reinstated infielder Jordy Mercer from the 10-day injured list and he was in the lineup at third base against the San Diego Padres.
