Aroldis Chapman’s suspension won’t include spring games, source says

New York Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman could be about to become the first player suspended under baseball’s new domestic violence policy, but the suspension is expected to be limited to regular-season games.

The suspension is not expected to include exhibition games, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it. Suspensions under baseball’s drug policy are limited to regular-season and postseason games, but suspensions under the domestic violence policy are left to the discretion of the commissioner.

Chapman has said he would appeal a suspension.

The New York Daily News and New York Post reported Saturday that a suspension for Chapman could include spring games, a penalty that ESPN’s Buster Olney said would have “zero impact as a deterrent.”

Major League Baseball is investigating incidents involving Chapman, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Colorado Rockies infielder Jose Reyes. On Monday, Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters that he was “close to having an announcement” on decisions in at least two of the three cases.

In December, the Dodgers had agreed on a trade to acquire Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds, then backed off after the allegations of domestic violence surfaced. The Reds subsequently traded him to the Yankees.

Twitter: @BillShaikin