Report: MLB frustrated by length of Familia investigation

Major League Baseball would prefer to settle the Jeurys Familia domestic violence case sooner rather than later, but that doesn't appear to be likely given the current pace of the legal proceedings.

While the New York Mets fully expect a steep punishment, MLB officials are reportedly growing frustrated because of how slow the investigation is taking, according to USA TODAY's Bob Klapisch.

"Everyone on (Familia's) side has clammed up," one higher-up said.

Familia was arrested Oct. 31 after his wife, Bianca Rivas, placed a 911 call, reporting her husband as "going crazy" and "drunk." According to police reports, Rivas had visible injuries.

The simple assault charge Familia initially faced with meant he would've faced a maximum of six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and two years of probation. However, it never came to fruition, as Rivas dropped the case and Familia was cleared.

Still, that doesn't mean MLB doesn't have the right to lay down its own punishment.

Familia's case is similar to that of New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who was suspended for the first 30 games of the 2016 season. Chapman wasn't charged, either, though it's expected MLB will hand Familia a similar type of punishment.

Because MLB commissioner Rob Manfred hasn't been able to lay down a ruling, Familia will be allowed to go to camp when pitchers report, and has been given permission to pitch for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic.