Written by Scooby Axson at SI.com
For the second time in two days, Major League Baseball says it is investigating a player that has been accused of domestic violence.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is the focus of the latest probe, after a friend of Russell’s wife posted on social media that Russell was ”cheating on your wife, mentally & physically abusing her.”
Russell’s wife, Melisa, had her own Instagram post that has since been deleted. The post accused Russell of cheating, but made no mention of abuse.
The Chicago Cubs said they were looking into the matter, but otherwise did not comment. It came out later Thursday that Russell will not play against the Rockies.
“Last night, we were made aware of a serious claim posted on social media about Addison Russell. We reached out to Major League Baseball, and following the protocol established by MLB, will fully cooperate with the Commissioner’s Office as it gathers pertinent facts. Addison will not be in uniform tonight to allow him to work through this matter,” the Cubs wrote in a statement.
The league instituted a Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy in August 2015 and any potential punishments handed out by MLB are done on a case-by-case basis.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, MLB officials are expected to interview Russell’s wife and the friend that posted the claims on social media.
On Wednesday, MLB said they are looking into the matter of Tampa Bay Rays catcher Derek Norris, who ex-fiancee Kristen Eck said she was ”physically and mentally abused” by Norris during the course of the relationship, making the claims in an Instagram post. Norris denied the allegations, saying in a statement that he has “never been physically or emotionally abusive towards her, or anyone else in my life.”
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