Dave Martinez doesn’t mince words about Starlin Castro’s domestic violence allegations

July 16, 2021

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez didn’t hold back his disappointment and frustration surrounding the domestic violence allegations against infielder Starlin Castro. Talking to the media Friday, Martinez said that behavior “we don’t tolerate that” within the Nats organization.

More from Dave Martinez: “Yesterday when I was told, I was shocked. I really was, but like I said, we don’t tolerate that kind of behavior. I’m going to support MLB. Not only in this game, but in anything, in life, domestic violence is awful. There’s no place for it.”
— Gene Wang (@gene_wang) July 16, 2021

Castro was placed on a seven-day administrative leave by MLB as the league investigates the matter. It’s unclear when sthe incident happened or if it was separate from a June situation in which Castro left the team for “a family matter.”

Martinez added that if he had known about the allegations against Starlin Castro last month, he would have taken a different tact when talking about Castro. In June, he was very supportive of Castro and hopeful he’d settle what was termed “family matters” before rejoining team
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 16, 2021

Castro’s leave can be extended if the investigation calls for it. Castro becomes the third player in MLB to be placed on administrative leave this season. He joins Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer (sexual assault) and Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcel Ozuna (domestic violence).

Asked if Castro would be welcomed back to the team if he’s cleared, Martinez said “When that process is done, that’ll be another conversation. But for right now, until he goes through that process, I really have nothing to say to him or anybody about it.”
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 16, 2021

Martinez was non-committal when asked if Castro would be welcomed back to the Nationals if he cleared. It’s safe to assume Martinez and the Nationals are taking domestic violence allegations against Castro serious.