Braves outfielder Hector Olivera, arrested last week on assault and battery charges in an alleged domestic-violence incident, had his paid administrative leave extended two more weeks by Major League Baseball as it continues its investigation.
Olivera, 31, was placed on one-week administrative leave by MLB after his arrest at the hotel where the Braves were staying in Arlington, Va., during a series against the Washington Nationals. That leave was set to expire Wednesday, but a person familiar with the situation said MLB and the players union agreed to the two-week extension while baseball’s own investigation continued.
The MLB commissioner has broad powers to mete out suspension under baseball’s domestic violence policy that went into effect in August, whether or not a player is charged with a crime. Olivera was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery after police were called to the Ritz-Carlton hotel and a female acquaintance of Olivera said she was assaulted.
Police said the female victim had bruises and was transported to a local hospital, where was treated and released later that day.
Olivera, who was released on $10,000 bond, could face a lengthy suspension from MLB after the investigation is concluded. The suspension is not at all dependent upon the outcome of his criminal case.
For example, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is serving a 30-game suspension for firing a gun in his garage at home in Florida during a dispute with his girlfriend. In Chapman’s case there were no criminal charges filed, but MLB’s investigation confirmed the allegation, issued its suspension and Chapman made a public apology.
On the day of Olivera’s arrest, the Braves issued a statement that read, in part: “We are extremely disappointed and troubled to learn of the allegations involving Hector Olivera. We will continue to gather information and will address this matter appropriately as we determine the facts.”
Olivera has not lived up to expectations on the field since the Braves acquired him in a July 2015 trade that involved three teams and 13 players, with the Braves giving up infield prospect Jose Peraza and several pitchers in the deal including left-handed starter Alex Wood.
Whether or not Olivera is convicted and/or hit with a lengthy suspension by MLB, his future with the Braves could be on shaky footing. One Braves official said after the arrest that the team was extremely disappointed in Olivera’s involvement in the incident, that it went against everything the organization has preached to players about being professional and doing things the right way both on and off the field.
Olivera is owed $32.5 million by the Braves over the final five years of the six-year, $62.5 million contract he signed with the Dodgers in March 2015 after defecting from Cuba and being declared a free agent. The Dodgers traded him less than six months later, eating the $28 million signing bonus and his first year’s salary in the deal.
Contracts typically can not be voided simply due to misdemeanor charges or convictions.
