MLB Notes: Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes set for return from suspension
Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes will report to Triple-A Albuquerque for a rehab assignment on Wednesday, the day after he completes his suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.
Reyes did not participate in spring training and was suspended through May 31 after being charged with domestic violence for an altercation with his wife in Hawaii last October. Prosecutors dropped the charge ahead of a scheduled April 4 trial, saying Reyes’ wife was not cooperating.
Reyes will make his way to Albuquerque after working out at extended spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. There’s no timetable for his return to the Rockies after the 59-day suspension.
Major League Rule 9 states a position player can spend a maximum period of 20 days on a minor league rehab assignment. But the agreement in which Reyes accepted the suspension specified Reyes’ minor league assignment will be limited to a maximum 14 days.
Asked what kind of time Reyes might need to be ready to face major league pitchers, manager Walt Weiss said: “That’s one of those things you play by ear and see how it goes.”
In Reyes’ absence, rookie shortstop Trevor Story has blossomed. He’s hitting .265 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs, along with playing reliable defense.
Reyes, who turns 33 on June 11, is a career .290 hitter with 479 stolen bases in 13 seasons. His contract with the Rockies runs through the 2017 season and includes a club option for 2018. He won the 2011 N.L. batting title while with the New York Mets.
Over the last few weeks, he’s been honing his swing in Arizona and working with some of the younger players. That doesn’t surprise Weiss.
“Everything from that end has been very positive,” Weiss said.
Reyes was acquired from Toronto on July 28 in a six-player deal that sent Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays. Reyes hit .259 in 47 games with Colorado last season.
Last Oct. 31, Reyes was arrested at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. According to a recording of a 911 call released by police, a hotel security guard reported the woman had injuries to her leg and scratches on her neck.
Reyes was released after posting $1,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from his wife for three days. He pleaded not guilty to abusing a family or household member.
Reyes joins Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera and Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman as players penalized under baseball’s new domestic violence policy.
Madoff trustee, Mets owners settle
The Mets owners and the trustee handling the massive Bernard Madoff fraud announced an agreement in which the owners get more time to pay off a $61 million debt, some of which is due on Wednesday.
A group including Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz originally owed trustee Irving Picard a total of $162 million after settling an acrimonious legal battle in 2012, in which the trustee said that the team owners were willfully blind to Madoff’s fraud when they reaped some fictitious profits from his operation, something the partners denied.
Under the intricate math of the new settlement, the Katz-Wilpon people had the debt reduced by payments Picard has been making over the years to Madoff victims in the Ponzi scheme. It was expected under the original settlement that the debt would be paid off by June 1, 2017. But even with the accelerating pace of the repayments to investors, there was still a shortfall which left the Mets group owing $61 million going into June 1.
Under the revised settlement, the Katz-Wilpon group will only have to repay $16 million by June 1, instead of $23 million. The remainder, currently around $45 million, will be divided in four annual installments from 2017 to 2020. Originally, the remaining debt needed to be paid off by June 1, 2017.
The Katz-Wilpon group agreed under the new settlement to pay Picard 3.5 percent interest on the remaining balance. Saul Katz and Fred Wilpon have also now agreed to personally guarantee the balance, according to the statement.
Clearing the bases
Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was placed on the paternity list by the Red Sox. Boston filled his spot by recalling outfielder Rusney Castillo from Triple-A Pawtucket. Castillo began the season with Boston and made one start before being optioned to Pawtucket on April 15. Boston also activated left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list and optioned pitcher Heath Hembree to Pawtucket. … Yankees infielder Dustin Ackley will have season- ending surgery this week for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Ackley was injured as he dove back into first base on a pickoff play during Sunday’s win at Tampa Bay. … The Blue Jays acquired former closer Jason Grilli from the Braves for a pitching prospect. A 39-year-old right-hander, Grilli is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA and two saves in his comeback from a career-threatening injury. Grilli’s 2015 season ended when tore his left Achilles tendon on July 11. He had 24 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 36 games before the injury.