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CHICAGO – Chicago Cubs fieldman Addison Russell on Wednesday accepted a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy after a series of allegations by his ex-wife.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the ban and said: M.L.B. had completed his investigation into the charges brought by Melisa Reidy. Russell had denied the allegations, which Reidy detailed in a blog post in September.
Russell's unpaid suspension includes the 11 regular season games he missed after being placed on administrative leave on September 21st. Russell will be eligible to return on May 3, barring any postponement, and he will not appeal the suspension. He will also participate in a program of evaluation and treatment.
The Cubs season ended Tuesday with a 2-1, 13-game loss to the Colorado Rockies in the Wild League game. Russell was not active for the match.
M.L.B. said it opened an investigation last year after the charges against Russell became public.
Reidy posted a photo on her Instagram account with a caption suggesting that her husband, about 18 months old, had been unfaithful to him. In another message, a user described by Reidy as a close friend said Russell had "hit" his wife. The message was subsequently deleted. Reidy refused to go to the league at the time because she had decided it was not in her family's interest, said her lawyer, Thomas Field, last year.
Reidy then published a blog post in September outlining more detailed charges, including years of physical and psychological abuse. Less than 12 hours later, M.L.B. announced that Russell had been placed on leave under the Domestic Violence Policy.
Chicago acquired Russell during a transaction in July 2014 with Oakland. He helped the Cubs win the World Series two years ago, beating .238 with 21 home runs and 95 points. in 151 games.
Russell hit .250 with five homers and 38 R.B.I. in 130 games this season.
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