Braves OF Hector Olivera arrested, accused of assault

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Police have arrested Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera after a woman accused him of assault at a hotel outside Washington.

Police in Arlington, Virginia, said a woman at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City called them at 6:51 a.m. ET. When police arrived, they found a woman with visible bruises claiming she had been assaulted by Olivera.She was taken to Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.

In a news release, police said Olivera was charged with assault and battery, a misdemeanor, and bond was set at $10,000.Police said Olivera and the woman know each other, but do not know the nature of their relationship.

"It's something that this morning you get told the news and it's disappointing," manager Fredi Gonzalez said before Wednesday night's game. "Don't want to comment on it because there's an ongoing investigation with MLB and the local authorities, so we've just got to leave it at that for now. It doesn't matter if you're 7-0 or 0-7 when something like that happens, it's not good."

Major League Baseball has placed Olivera on administrative leave, effective immediately.

"We are extremely disappointed and troubled to learn of the allegations involving Hector Olivera," the Braves said in a statement. "We will continue to gather information and will address this matter appropriately as we determine the facts."

The 31-year-old Olivera joined the Braves last July as part of a three-team trade with the Dodgers, with whom he signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract last May after defecting from Cuba.

Olivera will continue to receive his $4 million salary while on leave. He may ask baseball's independent arbitrator, Fredric Horowitz, to reinstate him to the active roster pending MLB's investigation. If a request is made, a live or telephone hearing is to be held within 24 hours of the request.

The Braves, who are are in Washington for a series against the Nationals, have recalled infielder Daniel Castro from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Olivera's spot on the roster while he is on leave.

Olivera has appeared in six games this season, batting .211 with two RBIs in 19 at-bats.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.