Sam Dyson banned for 2021 season under MLB domestic violence policy

Major League Baseball announced Friday afternoon that free-agent reliever Sam Dyson has accepted a suspension covering the entire 2021 season under the league’s domestic violence policy.

Dyson, who turns 33 in May, hasn’t pitched since 2019, which he split between San Francisco and Minnesota. Dyson underwent shoulder surgery that September, and two months later, the league began investigating him after ex-girlfriend Alexis Blackburn accused him of abuse. Details of those allegations became public this past October.

Dyson has been an effective reliever with a handful of teams since his career started in 2012. However, his off-field conduct could prevent him from pitching in the bigs again.