Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera was arrested in suburban Washington on Wednesday after he allegedly assaulted a woman at the team’s hotel, Arlington police spokesperson Ashley Savage told USA TODAY Sports.
Major League Baseball on Thursday placed Olivera on paid leave pending the outcome of the case, it said in a statement.
"Consistent with our Joint Domestic Violence Policy, the player has been placed on administrative leave and the Commissioner’s Office has begun an investigation," MLB said in a statement received by USA TODAY Sports.
Police in Arlington, Va., responded to the Ritz Carlton Hotel after a woman called 911 to report she had been assaulted at 6:51 a.m., according to Savage. WJLA-TV first reported in the arrest.
"She had visible bruising," Savage said.
Savage said Olivera and the alleged victim, who was transported to an area hospital, were familiar to one another.
The specific charges won't be determined until Olivera goes before a magistrate later Wednesday. He will remain in custody through his court appearance, Savage said.
Olivera is the third player subject to Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy, even if he is not convicted in this case. New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman received a 30-game suspension for an incident at his Florida home that did not result in charges. Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes remains on paid leave after he was arrested in October for an incident involving his wife at a Hawaii resort; charges were eventually dropped after she refused to cooperate as a witness.
The Braves are in Washington for a four-game series against the Nationals. Olivera, a 31-year-old native of Cuba, is in his second season with the Braves. He signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 following his defection from Cuba. He was traded to the Braves as part of a six-player deal in July.
Major League Baseball on Thursday placed Olivera on paid leave pending the outcome of the case, it said in a statement.
"Consistent with our Joint Domestic Violence Policy, the player has been placed on administrative leave and the Commissioner’s Office has begun an investigation," MLB said in a statement received by USA TODAY Sports.
Police in Arlington, Va., responded to the Ritz Carlton Hotel after a woman called 911 to report she had been assaulted at 6:51 a.m., according to Savage. WJLA-TV first reported in the arrest.
"She had visible bruising," Savage said.
Savage said Olivera and the alleged victim, who was transported to an area hospital, were familiar to one another.
The specific charges won't be determined until Olivera goes before a magistrate later Wednesday. He will remain in custody through his court appearance, Savage said.
Olivera is the third player subject to Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy, even if he is not convicted in this case. New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman received a 30-game suspension for an incident at his Florida home that did not result in charges. Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes remains on paid leave after he was arrested in October for an incident involving his wife at a Hawaii resort; charges were eventually dropped after she refused to cooperate as a witness.
The Braves are in Washington for a four-game series against the Nationals. Olivera, a 31-year-old native of Cuba, is in his second season with the Braves. He signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 following his defection from Cuba. He was traded to the Braves as part of a six-player deal in July.
