Castro banned 30 games under MLB policy; Nats to release him

Full Screen
1 / 2

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - In this June 19, 2021, file photo, Washington Nationals third baseman Starlin Castro looks on during the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets in Washington. Castro was placed on administrative leave Friday, July 16, 2021, by Major League Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

WASHINGTON – Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been suspended for 30 games without pay and fined an undisclosed amount for violating Major League Baseball's policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

Shortly after MLB announced the penalty Friday, the Nationals said they would release Castro when the ban concludes.

Recommended Videos



Castro will be ineligible for the postseason under the terms of the suspension and will be required to undergo evaluation and treatment, MLB said.

“Having reviewed all the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Castro violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier this month, while MLB was investigating allegations against Castro, that he didn’t plan on having him back with the team this season.

“We take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously. We fully support the commissioner’s decision,” the team said in a statement after the MLB announcement.

Castro was was accused of sexual assault in connection with a 2011 incident in Chicago but was not charged. Rizzo said Castro was vetted before the Nationals signed him to a two-year contract in January 2020, adding that he was “angered” by the new allegations.

The 31-year-old Castro is a 12-year major league veteran and a four-time All-Star who has played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. He played 87 games for Washington this season, mostly starting at third base.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports