NEW YORK -- The baseball players' association filed
grievances Thursday over the suspensions of Seattle Mariners
pitcher Julio Mateo and Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Alberto
Callaspo.
The union's grievance on behalf of Mateo also claims the
Mariners improperly optioned him to the minor leagues.
Mateo was arrested in New York following a dispute at a
Manhattan hotel on May 5 involving a woman police said was his
wife. He was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault, posted
bond and was released. Police said his wife needed five stitches to
her mouth.
Seattle optioned him to the minors on May 5 and suspended him
for 10 days without pay for missing the May 5 game. If allowed to
stand, the suspension would cost him $54,645 of his $1 million
salary this year. When his suspension was over, Seattle said
Wednesday he had been put on the Triple-A inactive list. His
Mariners locker is still intact at Safeco Field on Thursday.
"We're aware that the union has filed a grievance," Mariners
general manager Bill Bavasi said. "Of course, the union files a
grievance on virtually any action a club takes."
Arizona placed Callaspo on the restricted list without pay
Friday, a day after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his
wife. Callaspo was taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor
assault and felony criminal damage. Following an initial court
appearance Friday, he was released without bail.
Callaspo's contract calls for him to earn the minimum $380,000
while he is in the major leagues.
Under baseball's new labor agreement, grievances are to be heard
within a year of being filed.