Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, amid domestic violence allegations, has been suspended 40 games by Major League Baseball, it was announced Wednesday.
Russell has denied the allegations. He was placed on administrative leave Sept. 21, after his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, reiterated claims of domestic abuse.
Russell was not on the wild-card roster as the Cubs were eliminated by the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
MLB had started an investigation last year after allegations first became public.
Reidy had posted a photo on her Instagram account with a caption suggesting her husband of about 18 months had been unfaithful to her. In another post, a user — described by Reidy as a close friend — claimed Russell had “hit” his wife. The post was later deleted. Reidy declined to talk to MLB at the time because she decided it was not in her family’s best interests, her attorney, Thomas Field, said last year.
Last month, a blog post attributed to Reidy described more detailed allegations, including years of physical and emotional abuse. Less than 12 hours later, MLB announced Russell had been put on leave under MLB’s domestic violence policy.
Chicago acquired Russell in a July 2014 trade with the Oakland Athletics. He helped the Cubs win the World Series two years ago, batting .238 with 21 homers and 95 RBIs in 151 games that season.
Russell hit .250 with five homers and 38 RBIs in 130 games this season.