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| Hector Olivera has been on paid administrative leave since April. |
Major League Baseball suspended Hector Olivera 82 games on Thursday for violating its domestic violence policy, the third and by far most severe punishment handed down by Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Atlanta Braves outfielder will not appeal the suspension - which runs through Aug. 1, without pay. New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman accepted a 30-game suspension and Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was suspended 51 games for incidents that occurred in October 2015. Olivera was arrested after an incident with a girlfriend in Arlington, Va., during a Braves series with the Washington Nationals in April.
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegation that Hector Olivera violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy on April 13, 2016," Manfred said in a statement. "Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Olivera violated the Policy and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will expire on August 1st. Mr. Olivera has also agreed to make a significant charitable contribution to one or more organizations focused on preventing and treating survivors of domestic violence.”
Olivera has been on paid administrative leave since since April. He was charged with one count misdemeanor assault and battery after his arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman at a Virginia hotel.
“The Braves fully support Major League Baseball’s decision regarding Hector Olivera," the Braves said in a statement. "The Club will have no further comment on the matter at this time.”