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Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave last Friday after his ex-wife Melisa Reidy published a blog in which she explained the emotional, verbal and physical abuse she suffered during their marriage. However, according to Ken Rosenthal, Russell wasn’t put on leave because of the blog post itself, but because they spoke directly with Reidy and other witnesses.
Here’s what Rosenthal wrote in his latest report for The Athletic.
Major League Baseball did not place Cubs shortstop Addison Russell on paid administrative leave solely because of a blog post written by his former wife, Melisa Reidy.
The post alone would not have been enough for baseball to force Russell off the field under its joint domestic violence policy with the players’ union. The league had additional credible information, according to sources familiar with its investigation.
The league’s investigation includes interviews with Reidy and numerous other witnesses, with officials gathering additional information since Russell went on leave, sources said.
Russell has maintained his innocence since 2017, when a friend of Reidy first posted comments on Instagram alleging that Russell had been mentally and physically abusing Reidy.
The current administrative leave lasts seven days, but MLB can extend it as the league continues its investigation.
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Rosenthal also reported that Russell and his agent Scott Boras will not challenge MLB’s decision. So far every player that has been placed on administrative leave has eventually been suspended by MLB.
That investigation is not over yet. But at the moment, all signs point to a suspension.
(Ken Rosenthal)
Players have been suspended from as little as 15 games to as many as 100 games under MLB’s domestic violence policy.
You can read the full article here.
