I was encouraged to see a team take such incidents seriously. I couldn't help but think of the aftermath of last year's episode with the Phillies' Brett Myers in Boston.
Callaspo not with team after arrest
05/11/2007 8:10 PM ET
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- The Associated Press reported Friday that D-backs infielder Alberto Callaspo was released on his own recognizance one day after being taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and felony criminal damage, according to a police probable cause statement filed in Maricopa County Justice Court.
The D-backs placed Callaspo on the restricted list effective Thursday for failure to report and he is not with the team in Houston, nor is he expected here during the weekend series. Players on the restricted list do not receive their salary, which means every day he's on the list costs Callaspo $2,076 of his $380,000 salary.
Callaspo's future with the organization seems very much in doubt. It's possible that the team could eventually place him on the suspended list, which would likely trigger a grievance from the Players Association. Team officials would not comment on that possibility.
"The Arizona Diamondbacks take domestic violence issues very seriously and do not condone the actions for such alleged behavior," team president Derrick Hall said in a prepared statement. "We believe we have taken the appropriate measure at this time by placing Alberto on the restricted list without pay until we determine what further action to take, if any, as we gather more details about the incident."
The D-backs were preparing to leave for Houston on Thursday when they received word of Callaspo's arrest. The team bus was delayed approximately 30 minutes at Chase Field while officials huddled to discuss the situation.
A police spokesman told The Arizona Republic that officers responded on Thursday afternoon to a call to Callaspo's residence and that Callaspo's wife, Marianny Paola, 22, had minor injuries.
Prosecutors had yet to file formal charges, according to the AP, and a status conference was set for May 25.
According to the court document cited in the AP report, Callaspo told officers he argued his 22-year-old wife and kicked her in the buttocks after she pushed him. Paola sustained minor abrasions and had a foot mark on her pants, officer Christopher Meraz wrote.
Veteran Donnie Sadler had his contract purchased from Triple-A Tucson to take Callaspo's spot on the roster. The D-backs were at the 40-man roster limit, but players on the restricted list do not count against the 40-man roster, so that opened up a spot for Sadler.
Callaspo has appeared in 33 games for the D-backs this year and is hitting .215 with three RBIs.
"The incident involving Alberto supersedes any baseball issues for us at this time," D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes said. "Because Alberto is a member of our organization, we will offer him and members of his family assistance in dealing with counselors to get them through this difficult time."
