New York Yankees pitcher Jimmy Cordero has been suspended for the remainder of the 2023 MLB season, for violating league policy.
In a statement released by MLB on Wednesday, they confirmed that Cordero breached the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. "Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that following an investigation, New York Yankees pitcher has accepted a suspension for the remainder of the 2023 Championship, season and postseason for violating Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy," the statement read.
"Placement on the restricted list is effective immediately. Consistent with the terms of the policy, Cordero will participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program supervised by the joint policy board.
Cordero will not be paid and will not count against the team’s 40-man roster while on the restricted list. The Yankees also fully support the suspension, and released a statement of their own to back the MLB's stance.
"The Yankees are fully supportive of Major League Baseball’s investigative process and the disciplinary action applied to Jimmy Cordero," the team stated in a press release. "There is no justification for domestic violence, and we stand with the objectives, standards and enforcement of MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
Met Police sacks 17 new recruits over 'inappropriate morals and ethics'Cordero has appeared in 31 games this season and, was only re-signed by the team in March 2022. The exact circumstances surrounding his suspension are unclear at this time, but its fully supported by the team.
The joint policy was announced by MLB and the MLBPA in 2015, and it was put in place to provide the commissioner with the ability to discipline a player who is the subject of any domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse allegations. Under the policy, Cordero doesn't need to be charged with a crime to be faced with consequences.
Cordero's suspension will see him miss out on $340,648 in outstanding salary. Cordero will reportedly be replaced on the Yankees roster by Randy Vasquez as their unwanted pitcher streak continues.
It's the third time in the past eight seasons that a Yankees pitcher has been suspended for similar offences. Aroldis Chapman missed 30 games in 2016 and current starter Domingo German missed 81 games in 2019.
German produced a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics last week as he became the fourth Yankees player in history to do so. German retired every batter, in an 11-0 win.
The Yankees currently sit third in the AL East, just trailing the Baltimore Orioles but remain a long way behind leaders Tampa Bay Rays. Their division is the closest in across the MLB, with playoffs still alive for all teams.