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Dodgers suspend Erisbel Arruebarrena for the year due to contract issues

Chris Cwik
·Staff writer
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena will not be playing for the club this season. The 25-year-old has been suspended for the year after for "repeated failures to comply with his contract," according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group.

Arruebarrena appeared with the club during spring training, though was not invited to major-league camp. He hit .143 over 14 at-bats this spring.

Following spring training, Arruebarrena was not assigned to any of the organization's minor-league clubs. Instead, he was expected to remain in Arizona for extended spring.

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It's unclear what has happened since then. General manger Andrew Friedman said Arruebarrena's suspension is not due to a violation of any Major League Baseball rules. Since he was expected to remain in Arizona, he doesn't have any minor-league stats for this year. It's possible Arruebarrena was frustrated and refused to show up for the assignment, but that has not been reported, and is merely speculation.

Arruebarrena defected from Cuba in 2013, and signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Los Angeles the following February. He briefly appeared with the team in 2014, receiving 44 at-bats. Arruebarrena hit .195 in his limited opportunity.

After he was sent down, Arruebarrena was hit with a five-game suspension after inciting a brawl in the PCL. The Dodgers immediately demoted him to Single-A following the incident.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

This January, the club designated Arruebarrena for assignment. He was not claimed by any team, and was removed from the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

The club officially placed Arruebarrena on the suspended list Wednesday, but have remained mum on the situation. While it was initially termed "an internal matter" by Friedman, the club announced today that the suspension was due to contract issues.

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In 2014, Arruebarrena hit .259/.304/.417 over four minor-league levels. At this time, it's unclear whether he'll play another game in the organization. He remains under contract through 2018.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik