Major League Baseball conducted its interview with Miguel Sano today as part of its investigation into assault allegations that were brought forth against him back in December, report La Velle E. Neal III and Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Sano missed the Twins’ afternoon workouts today as he complied with the investigation and won’t be in the lineup for their evening game. As Neal and Miller note, the interview figures to be one of the league’s final steps in its investigation into the allegations against Sano. Once the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who will then determine whether any discipline is required for the Minnesota third baseman.
A bit more from the AL Central…
- Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield got his first exposure to center field in roughly a half decade in yesterday’s Cactus League game, writes MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan. The 29-year-old Merrifield played more than 600 innings of center in his first two years of pro ball but has been primarily playing infield in recent years. However, with Alcides Escobar back in the fold, the Royals will give Merrifield some looks in center field. If Merrifield proves capable in the outfield, he could fill that need while also potentially opening second base for prospect Adalberto Mondesi, who, it should be noted, will now be utilizing his middle name rather than his first name. Mondesi, who previously went by his first name, Raul, recently explained the decision to reporters (including Flanagan), noting that he’d long gone by his middle name before moving to pro ball. “Back home, everyone knows me by that,” said Mondesi, the son of former NL Rookie of the Year and All-Star Raul Mondesi.
- While many Indians fans were happy to see Mike Napoli reunited with the organization earlier this morning when he agreed to a minor league deal, manager Terry Francona tempered expectations regarding Napoli’s chances of making the club (link via MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian). “He wanted a chance to be in a Major League camp,” said Francona. “There’s a decent chance we’re going to get him ready to have him go on another team and help beat us. Saying that, I think we all felt like he deserved it. He’s such a pro, so special to us.” Francona added that he was extremely honest and forthcoming with Napoli about the lack of immediate opportunity, although as Bastian notes, the well-respected and well-liked Napoli provides a nice depth option in the case of an injury. And, Josh Tomlin raved to Bastian about the team’s excitement over having Napoli in the clubhouse, even if it’s only for a short time.
hoping nap gets a chance with a big league club. hoping it’s a platoon partner with alonzo, but i doubt that’s going to happen.
I like him, but it’s…..in true Franconian…..kind of, you know, sort of, like, hard to kind of carry three kind of first basemen/designated hitter.
Lol. But would he really get that many words out through his gum?
Maybe Yonder Alonso will start shagging fly balls like we saw Carlos Santana do…
Napoli and Alonzo and a backup catcher to go with a utilityman makes for an extremely unflexible bench.
Always was a Napoli fan. Good luck.
Sano will miss at least a month of games if not more. There might not be good evidence, but in this culture an accusation is as good as a conviction. Give him the fine and suspension, just let the fans know soon.
Also if they find good evidence they should make it public. They are supposed to be role models. Why would I buy that jersey if something happened?
I don’t think we even want to know what most of our role models do when they’re not on company time.
Or our next door neighbors, distant relatives, co-workers, probably even parents and/Or children
Would you want the world to know what you do outside of your job?
But where’s the “He’s in the best shape of his life” comment from Francona?
So why is the MLB investigating Sano and not Maxwell?
im legitimately confused.
His is just a plain old crime and not under the policy. Not a domestic and not sexual assault.
If MLB really views pointing a gun at someone just as a plain old crime, then MLB is really messed up.
JD396…it falls under the CBA…ARTICLE XII—Discipline – B. Conduct Detrimental or Prejudicial to Baseball (page 52)
Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of Baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law. The Commissioner and a Club shall not discipline a Player for the same act or conduct under this provision. In cases of this type, a Club may only discipline a Player, or take other adverse
action against him, when the Commissioner defers the disciplinary decision to the Club.
mlbplayers.com/pdf9/5450407.pdf
Milkman…The answer is the same as it was a couple weeks ago when you asked the same thing and the same as it was in Nov….they are.
Nov 14, 2017
“Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell plead not guilty to assault and disorderly conduct charges on Tuesday, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Maxwell was arrested on Oct. 28 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct after allegedly waving a gun at a Postmates employee that was making a delivery to his house, per Slusser. There’s no trial date set for now, and a hearing wouldn’t come until sometime in early 2018. MLB will conduct an investigation into the matter, but no announcement of any discipline would come until after a hearing (or a theoretical settlement).” link to mlbtraderumors.com
Notice the words “MLB will conduct an investigation into the matter, but no announcement of any discipline would come until after a hearing (or a theoretical settlement).”….just like all of the other cases. Either the case plays out, there is a settlement of sorts or as happened with many of the domestic violence cases, the charges were dropped. Afterwards MLB issues their finding and discipline.
Has a police report even been filed or is this still she said he said type thing? If not this is not a criminal investigation.
They are.