Astros release minor leaguer involved in alleged domestic incident

Danry Vasquez was arrested on Aug. 4 before being suspended and released on Wednesday. (Corpus Christi Hooks)

The Houston Astros have released 22-year-old minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez, who was suspended indefinitely by the commissioner’s office on Wednesday amid an investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident in April.

Vasquez, 22, was arrested on Aug. 4 and placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball at that time. He spent the season playing for Houston’s Double-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks.

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According to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, the alleged incident took place in a Whataburger Field stairwell, which is the Hooks’ home stadium. A security camera reportedly captured Vasquez striking his girlfriend three times on the evening of April 4, which led to a police investigation and ultimately his arrest.

Here’s the Astros official statement on Vasquez’s release:

“The Astros have released minor league player Danry Vasquez effective immediately and upon MLB’s ruling today. We are appreciative of MLB’s commitment to take timely action and for the diligence of the Corpus Christi PD in pursuing their investigation.We appreciate the ruling today as it supports our firm intention to terminate Danry’s association with our club. We will continue to cooperate with Corpus Christi PD as they complete their investigation.”

Vasquez had been considered a legitimate prospect, but had seen his on-field stock fall to the point where he wasn’t protected in the Rule 5 draft over the winter. He first signed with the Tigers as an international free agent in 2010, before being dealt to Houston for reliever Jose Veras in 2013.

As many have noted, the league was able to lay down an indefinite suspension in relatively short order due to the fact Vasquez wasn’t on a 40-man roster and thus is not represented by the MLB Player’s Association. That cut out a lot of dialogue that’s usually required to settle on a punishment, which is already a difficult and delicate enough process given the sensitive details and circumstances of domestic violence cases.

Vazquez’s suspension by the league office is pending the outcome of the ongoing criminal investigation. His future in baseball in general may also be pending the outcome, as teams will undoubtedly stay far away unless name and his image of Danry Vasquez are completely cleared.

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