MLB Places Reys on Paid Leave

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes has been placed on paid leave by Major League Baseball pending completion of his domestic violence case in Hawaii.

Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Tuesday. MLB said in its statement that Section III.C.2 of its domestic violence policy permits the commissioner "to impose a paid suspension pending resolution of the legal proceedings or an investigation."

Upon completion of Reyes' criminal case, Manfred will decide whether to impose discipline. MLB said it will have no further comment until Reyes' case is resolved.

Reyes will receive the $22 million salary he earns during the season while on leave. The players' union has the right to challenge the decision before an arbitrator and said it will work with Reyes to protect his rights "if further discipline is issued'' or if the "suspension is not resolved in a timely fashion.''

Reyes was arrested on charges of assaulting his wife last October in a Hawaii hotel. He is scheduled to go on trial April 4, the same day the Rockies are scheduled to open the regular season at Arizona. Reyes pleaded not guilty to his charges.

Fowlers, Orioles Agree To Deal

Free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to ESPN's Buster Olney and multiple reports.

The deal is worth approximately $35 million, according to Olney, and will be finalized after Fowler undergoes a physical with Baltimore. The Orioles will surrender a pick in this year's draft to the Chicago Cubs as compensation for signing Fowler, who declined Chicago's $15.8 million qualifying offer in November.

Fowler, who turns 30 in March, was acquired by the Cubs via trade last offseason after spending six years with the Colorado Rockies and one with the Astros. He set a career high in home runs (17) and walks (84) in 2015 after struggling through a mediocre first half. He also struck out a career-high 154 times.

Fowler came into the year with a career .366 on-base percentage but reached base less than 31 percent of the time in the first half of 2015, when he struggled with the strike zone, whiffing 82 times. His walk total increased in the second half, as did his overall production, and he helped the Cubs reach the playoffs. He hit .272 in the second half after hitting just .232 in the first. His second-half OBP was .389.

Fowler has been known as an average outfielder in his career. He played adequately in center field last season but was never in the Gold Glove discussion.