Yankees' Chapman suspended 30 games

PHOTOGRAPHER: USA Today

Feb 29, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches in live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Stadium.

TAMPA, Fla. — Aroldis Chapman, the New York Yankees’ new closer and a four-time All-Star, was suspended for 30 games on Tuesday by Major League Baseball under its new domestic violence policy.

The suspension came after negotiations between Major League Baseball executives and lawyers for Chapman and the players union. They arrived at a number that was amenable to both sides, according to a baseball official who was briefed on the negotiations. As a result, Chapman will not appeal the ruling, although he had recently stated that he intended to do so.

Commissioner Rob Manfred had wanted to make a firm statement through the new policy, which was unveiled last August and constructed in conjunction with the union. But he also wanted a punishment that would hold up rather than be reduced or even overturned, as happened in recent domestic violence cases over which NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell presided.

Under the terms of the ruling, Chapman, who the police said fired eight shots into a wall of his garage after an altercation with his girlfriend, Cristina Barnea, in October, will be able to participate in spring training but will sit out once opening day arrives at the beginning of April.

No charges were brought against Chapman in the October incident, but baseball’s domestic violence policy allows Manfred to impose discipline regardless of whether a player is charged with or convicted of a crime. Players can challenge any penalties through arbitration, but that will not happen in this instance.