P Chapman to appeal if suspended by MLB

TAMPA, Fla. – Major League Baseball has yet to announce whether it will suspend new New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman for domestic violence allegations, but if the league does end up penalizing Chapman, he said he will appeal.

“It’s something out of my hands”, Chapman said through a translator after Yankees pitchers and catchers reported Thursday for spring training. “I want to get to know him before I really form an opinion of his character”. Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes to have a ruling by Opening Day, which shouldn’t be much of an issue now that Chapman has completed his interview with the league. I feel great. I’m happy to be here. “They’re going to stay and wait to see 102, 103, 104 and I think he’s gotten it to 105 (mph)”.

Chapman won’t face criminal charges, prosecutors have said, despite police being called to his Miami-area home to respond to the incident in October. While he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Reyes is subject to discipline under baseball’s new domestic violence policy.

Girardi said he hasn’t read police reports that have been widely circulated around the Internet, but that he will and he wants to further research what happened. Chapman said he has no idea whether he’ll be suspended. “I understand that. I think we have a responsibility as athletes on the way we present ourselves on and off the field, and I’m OK with that”.

Following the acquisition of Chapman from Cincinnati in December, Andrew Miller is moving from closer to a setup role alongside Dellin Betances.

The Yankees and Chapman avoided a salary-arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $11.325 last week.

A suspension could be significant for Chapman because of he could potentially have his first foray into free agency delayed until 2017. “They are investigating, doing their job, and the only thing I have left to do is to wait”.