Jose Reyes has become the first player to be suspended under new Major League Baseball rules brought in to address domestic violence issues.
The Colorado Rockies shortstop, a four-time All-Star player who earns $22m (£15.7m) a year, has been placed on paid leave while he faces criminal proceedings.
Reyes, 32, who was arrested at a Hawaii resort in October following an argument with his wife, has pleaded not guilty to an abuse charge.
His trial is due to start on 4 April.
The date coincides with the start of the new MLB season, when the Rockies play at Arizona.
The new policy was agreed in August following a number of high-profile domestic violence cases in a number of US sports, including baseball, American football and basketball.
High-profile domestic abuse cases in US sport:
- Earlier this month, police in Dallas were asked to investigate Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel after a complaint by his ex-girlfriend.
- In 2014, NFL running-back Ray Rice was handed an indefinite ban after a video emerged of him punching his fiancé in the face. The player was released by the Baltimore Ravens and is now a free agent after winning an appeal.
- In the same year, Jeffery Taylor who played for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA, was suspended for 24 games without pay after pleading guilty to domestic assault.
- World champion boxer Floyd Mayweather was jailed for three months in 2012 after pleading guilty to attacking his ex-girlfriend.
