Chapman accepts 30-game ban for domestic incident

New York Yankees left-hander Aroldis Chapman has been suspended 30 games for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.

The Cuban reliever announced he will not appeal the decision, and released the following statement:

Today, I accepted a 30 game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my actions on October 30, 2015.

I want to be clear, I did not in any way harm my girlfriend that evening. However, I should have exercised better judgment with respect to my actions, and for that I am sorry.

The decision to accept a suspension, as opposed to appealing one, was made after careful consideration. I made this decision in an effort to minimize the distractions that an appeal would cause the Yankees, my new teammates and most importantly, my family.

I have learned from this matter, and I look forward to being part of the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title.

Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.

Under the discipline announced Tuesday, Chapman will serve the penalty beginning Opening Day. He's eligible to return May 9 against the Kansas City Royals.

Commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly was prepared to issue a 35- to 40-game suspension last week until Chapman's legal team negotiated a lesser penalty, a source told Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.

He will lose 30 days of pay - $1,856,557 of his $11,325,000 salary - and 30 days of major league service, which will allow him to reach six years of service time after this season, enough to become eligible for free agency.

Chapman became the first player penalized a finite number of games under the policy, which MLB and the players' association agreed to in August following several high-profile incidents among NFL players.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was given an indefinite paid suspension last week, pending a trial scheduled for April 4, following an alleged altercation with his wife in October.

The 28-year-old Chapman, who was under investigation for an alleged domestic violence dispute, fired eight gunshots and allegedly choked his girlfriend in October in the garage of his Miami residence. Police didn't charge Chapman in the incident.

Chapman was traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Yankees in exchange for four prospects in December.

- With files from The Associated Press