Catcher Derek Norris started the season with the Rays, and he'll end it without a team. Major League Baseball announced Friday that Norris has been placed on the restricted list and will remain there through the postseason, making him ineligible to signed by any team.
Norris is being penalized under MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. He is not appealing the decision. The suspension stems from allegations this past June by Norris' ex-financee, which he vehemently denied.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement:
"My office has completed its investigation into the allegation that Derek Norris violated Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence Policy on October 21, 2015. Mr. Norris cooperated throughout the investigation, including submitting to an in-person interview with MLB's Department of Investigations. After reviewing the evidence, I determined that Mr. Norris's conduct warranted discipline under the Joint Domestic Violence Policy. While Mr. Norris denies the allegation against him, he and I have agreed that he will spend the remainder of the 2017 season away from the game and that he will forfeit $100,000 of his remaining termination pay from the Tampa Bay Rays, which will be donated by the Rays to one or more charitable organizations focused on preventing and treating survivors of domestic violence. The charitable organizations will be selected by the Commissioner's Office and the Players Association."
Norris, 28, could well have trouble finding work moving forward. The players who have been suspended under this policy who remained in the league have been bigger names like Aroldis Chapman, Jeurys Familia and Jose Reyes. On the flip-side, Hector Olivera is playing indy ball now.
Norris hit just .201/.258/.380 after slashing .186/.255/.328 last season. He's a former All-Star, but he hasn't been productive in a while and now he carries off-field baggage. That's a combo that doesn't seem too appealing from the perspective of a front office.
