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MLB investigating Rays’ Derek Norris after abuse allegation

The catcher’s former fiancée alleged Norris “physically and emotionally” abused her in an Instagram post Tuesday.

By Chris Cotillo
MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball is investigating Rays catcher Derek Norris after former fiancée Kristen Eck alleged “physical and emotional abuse,” according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Eck made the allegation in an Instagram post Tuesday:

Four years ago I went back to school to get my degree, shortly after, I moved across the country for love. Three years ago I was engaged. Two years ago I was planning a wedding. And one year ago I left the person I thought I was going to marry. I had beautiful moments with a man and I fell in love with a sense of humor and authentic soul that I wanted to spend my life with. I also was physically and emotionally abused by this beautiful man. He gave me a lifestyle most people only dreamed of, but it came at a price. I am forever thankful for the joy, love and laughter he shared with me. I am also forever grateful for the darkness I experienced. Because of that, today is more full of light than I would have ever expected. When I left I had $300 to my name, I had no access to money, I had no access to cars and was only given the courtesy to remove my items from our home. When I left, he and his family made sure I had nothing. But, that is far from true. I had my life, I had my family, I had my friends and I had the fight and heart that has been in me since I was a little girl. With the help of a stranger I met in an airport I was given the strength to get on my feet and fight to rebuild my life. I sold what "materialistic" items I was able to take with me in order to fly to San Diego and live until I could find a job. I found a job, I found a place to live and I found myself. As I sit here, shaking, scared to share a small glimpse of the last year of my life I can't help but let tears fall down my cheeks. I just finished my last day of my school. I am officially a college graduate, living in my dream city, working for a great company, teaching yoga and more importantly I am free of anxiety and surrounded by the love, support, grace and kindness of my friends and family and strangers and the world. Thank you to everybody who listened to me vent. Thank you to those who held me as I cried for hours. Thank you for those that didn't judge my nightmares. Thank you to those who supported my dreams. Thank you to those who encouraged me when I could finally laugh again. Thank you to those who gave advice. Thank you to those who didn't speak and were just there.

A post shared by Kristen Eck (@kristenmeck) on

While Eck does not name Norris in her post, the couple was previously engaged. Norris issued a statement in response to the allegations, via the Tampa Bay Times.

Major League Baseball has investigated all claims of domestic abuse since implementing a policy prior to last season, and has issued suspensions for Jose Reyes, Jeurys Familia, Aroldis Chapman and Hector Olivera.

Norris, 28, has spent this season with Tampa Bay after being released by the Nationals at the end of spring training. He has appeared in the majors with the Athletics, Padres and Rays since breaking into the bigs in 2012.

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