Background

The Joint DV Policy was originally adopted in August 2015, becoming the first formal MLB policy on domestic violence after years of effective non-policy. It was significant for being a negotiated policy (joint, not unilateral) — a contrast to the NFL's unilateral DV framework that had drawn intense criticism in 2014-15. The Policy's structure — Administrative Leave (not disciplinary) → investigation → Commissioner-imposed discipline subject to just-cause review via grievance arbitration — has been applied across many cases (José Reyes, Aroldis Chapman, Héctor Olivera, Jeurys Familia, Steven Wright, José Torres, Roberto Osuna, Addison Russell, Domingo Germán, Sam Dyson, Trevor Bauer, Marcell Ozuna, Wander Franco, and more). Suspensions have ranged from minimal (15 games for Aroldis Chapman, the first case) to extensive (162 games for Trevor Bauer, later reduced; 324 games for Wander Franco in the most recent major case). The Policy is operative under the 2022-2026 Basic Agreement (explicit reference in Section II.B.5); a fresh PDF was issued May 9, 2023 reflecting any post-2022 revisions. Operative source for any DV-related discipline analysis. Cross-references: Joint Policy Board (Section IV), Commissioner discipline subject to grievance review (links to Basic Agreement Article XI), MLB Player Partner and Family Helpline (Section VIII), confidentiality (Section likely VII).

Key provisions

• Section I — Definitions: defines 'Domestic violence' (pattern of abusive behavior in any intimate relationship to gain or maintain power and control, including physical/sexual violence, emotional/psychological intimidation, verbal violence, stalking, economic control, harassment, physical intimidation, injury; also a single incident of abusive behavior in any intimate relationship or involving a family member domiciled with the Player); 'Sexual assault' (range of behaviors including completed nonconsensual sex act, attempted nonconsensual sex act, nonconsensual sexual contact; lack of consent inferred from force, harassment, threat of force, threat of adverse personnel/disciplinary action, other coercion, or victim asleep/incapacitated/unconscious/legally incapable of consent); 'Child abuse' (act or failure to act by parent or caretaker resulting in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under 18 or unemancipated minor; includes child pornography production, distribution, receipt, or possession).
• Section II — Investigation of Incidents: triggered by Commissioner's Office written notification to the Players Association that it is investigating an allegation of a Covered Act.
• Section II.B — Administrative Leave: under the Basic Agreement, the Commissioner may immediately place an accused Player on Administrative Leave for up to 7 days (extendable to 14 days total with MLBPA consent, not unreasonably withheld). Alternatively the Commissioner may defer placement until law-enforcement charges or until credible corroborating information is received. Placement on Administrative Leave is not considered disciplinary.
• Section II.B.1 — Challenge to Administrative Leave Placement: the Player may request an in-person or telephonic hearing before the Grievance Arbitration Panel within 24 hours, with a ruling within 24 hours of the close of the hearing. The Panel shall remove the Player from Administrative Leave if (a) the allegations are not supported by credible information, or (b) allowing the Player to remain active is consistent with victim safety and won't cause significant Club disruption.
• Section II.B.2 — Player Status on Administrative Leave: Player continues to receive salary and MLB service; placed on Major League Restricted List for Reserve List limit purposes; ineligible to participate in Club games (including Spring Training games where tickets are sold; can participate in Spring Training 'B' games and non-public practices).
• Section II.B.3 — Evaluation: Commissioner may refer Player to the Joint Policy Board for evaluation during Administrative Leave or within 7 days of an off-season incident; may also require evaluation as condition of deferring Administrative Leave.
• Section II.B.4 — Family Outreach: Joint Policy Board refers affected persons to intervention services, including the MLB Player, Partner and Family Helpline (Section VIII).
• Section II.B.5 — Investigation: governed by 2022-2026 Basic Agreement provisions; subject to Domestic Violence Investigations letter agreement (Addendum A). Player and Association shall cooperate, including making Player available for investigatory interview during Administrative Leave.
• [Sections III-VIII text not yet reviewed in this metadata pass — Joint Policy Board structure (Section IV), Discipline (Section likely VI or VII), Helpline (Section VIII), and Confidentiality provisions deferred to a future pass.]

Notable provisions

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (herein 'the Parties') desire to formulate a Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy and Program that: takes an absolute stand against domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse; protects the legal and procedural rights of Players; provides assistance to victims and families, especially information and referrals to available resources; recognizes that Players may also be the victims in intimate relationships; focuses on education and prevention, including training on this policy; utilizes the most effective methods and resources for therapeutic intervention for abusers and those abused; and allows for therapeutic programs for Players and for the imposition of appropriate discipline on Players.— Joint DV Policy, preamble

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any intimate relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. It occurs in heterosexual and same sex relationships and impacts individuals from all economic, educational, cultural, age, gender, racial, and religious demographics.— Joint DV Policy I (Definitions)

Under the Basic Agreement, the Commissioner may immediately place a Player accused of a Covered Act on Administrative Leave, effective as early as the date of the Notification, and may keep the Player on Administrative Leave for up to seven (7) days, including the date of Notification, subject to the Player's right to challenge that decision set forth below.— Joint DV Policy II.B

The Commissioner's placement of a Player on Administrative Leave shall not be considered disciplinary under this Policy.— Joint DV Policy II.B

Further context

Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy (MLB)

The operative MLB-MLBPA Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse covering Major League roster players. Originally adopted August 2015; current PDF (May 9, 2023) operative under the 2022-2026 Basic Agreement.

Structure

The Policy follows a process-then-discipline framework:

1. Section I — Definitions of the three "Covered Acts" (domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse), with breadth: domestic violence includes a pattern or a single incident; same-sex relationships included; family members domiciled with the Player included; psychological/emotional/verbal abuse and stalking included.
2. Section II — Investigation of Incidents: triggered by Commissioner's Office notification to MLBPA. Administrative Leave (up to 7 days, extendable to 14) is available and is explicitly not disciplinary. Player can challenge Administrative Leave placement via the Grievance Arbitration Panel within 24 hours.
3. Section III–VIII (not yet reviewed in detail this pass): Joint Policy Board structure, discipline framework, helpline, confidentiality.

Distinctive features

This is the operative document for every MLB DV discipline matter since 2015. The Policy's distinctive features:

• Negotiated, not unilateral — sharp contrast with the NFL's 2014 unilateral DV framework.
• No mandatory minimum suspension — gives the Commissioner discretion on severity, which has produced widely varying outcomes (15 games for Chapman → 162 games for Bauer → 324 games for Franco).
• Administrative Leave is not discipline — explicitly framed as a holding period during investigation, not punishment. Player keeps salary and service time during AL.
• Joint Policy Board — clinical evaluation and treatment referral structure that operates alongside the discipline track.
• Subject to grievance arbitration — final discipline can be appealed via Article XI of the CBA (e.g., Bauer's 324-game suspension was reduced to 194 games by arbitrator Martin Scheinman, then settled to 162 games).

Related documents in the archive

• 2022-03-10_cba_mlb-cba-2022-2026.md — the Basic Agreement; Article XI grievance procedure governs appeals.
• 2023_policy_milb-joint-domestic-violence-policy.md — parallel MiLB version.
• 2023_policy_dsl-domestic-violence-policy.md — Dominican Summer League–specific version.

Verification status

needs_review — single source, partial content review (first 4 of 19 pages). Full content review of remaining sections and second-source confirmation pending.

Related documents

Related documents

2022–2026 MLB Basic Agreement

Source provenance

• Primary source
• Wayback Machine archive