Nationals to release Starlin Castro following suspension

The Washington Nationals are back in the news for another big transaction. This time, however, they haven’t made a trade.

Washington plans to release infielder Starlin Castro after he serves an 30-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the suspension—along with a subsequent fine and ban from the 2021 season—in a statement on Friday morning. “My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Starlin Castro violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” explained Manfred. “Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Castro violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate.”

The Nationals quickly distributed a statement, saying, “We take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously. We fully support the Commissioner’s decision and will be releasing Starlin Castro upon the completion of his suspension. Per the terms of the policy, we will have no further comment on this matter.”

Castro was placed on administrative leave by the league on July 16. On that day, manager Davey Martinez said, “What I can tell you about myself and this organization, as you know, we do not tolerate any kind of domestic abuse. Speaking for myself, I think it’s awful.”

Further details regarding the incident have not been reported. However, it’s safe to say that Castro’s days in Major League Baseball are over. He had been slashing .283/.333/.375 with 38 RBI, 26 walks, and 62 strikeouts this season over the course of 87 games this season.

The four-time All-Star kicked off his 12-year career in the majors with the Cubs, for whom he debuted in 2010. After six years in Chicago, he was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for Adam Warren. Two years later, New York dealt him to the Marlins in the Giancarlo Stanton blockbuster deal. He found his way to the Nats as a free agent ahead of the shortened 2020 season. The Dominican Republic product appeared in 1,573 games, posting a .280/.319/.412 slash line with 138 homers, 678 RBI, 338 walks, and 1,108 strikeouts.