Major League Baseball

Mets attend domestic violence seminar held by players' union

Published Feb. 27, 2016 5:54 p.m. ET

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey hopes the domestic violence seminars being presented by the Major League Baseball players' union will have an effect in the game, and beyond.

Mets on the 40-man roster attended a mandatory education program Saturday. The association is holding them throughout the majors in spring training.

''It's a big problem, not just in sports but in the general population,'' said Harvey, a representative in the union.

''Obviously there's a couple of situations going on in baseball right now,'' he said. ''And especially with a lot of the younger guys here - and the younger population in the world - they look up to those kind of people. If they're doing stuff like that, it's a bad influence. If you can learn about it and try to prevent it as much as possible, it could change the way people go about their actions.''

Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes, facing a charge stemming from an incident with his wife in Hawaii in October, was placed on paid leave this week by commissioner Rob Manfred pending a trial scheduled to start April 4.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig also are being investigated by MLB.

Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson, also a player rep, said domestic violence is much bigger than a sports issue.

''In some form or fashion, if you think about it, it's been around you and a part of your life - whether you see it on TV or it's a little closer to home,'' Granderson said. ''It's one of those things where hopefully guys here can go back to friends and family and say, If you do have something going on, here's a way you can go handle it.'''

NOTES: RHP Zack Wheeler took another step back in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, throwing for about two minutes from the front of the mound. ''As small as it was, it's a big milestone,'' Wheeler said. ''Even if it was seven throws off the front of the mound, it's still feet on the dirt, getting back on the slope a little bit.'' The Mets are aiming for a July 1 return date for Wheeler, which means he will be more than 15 months removed from surgery. ... CF Yoenis Cespedes wore wraps over his left shin and upper arm. Manager Terry Collins said Cespedes was wearing molds for elbow and shin guards. ... Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza was scheduled to be in camp Sunday as a guest instructor. ... RHP Rafael Montero will start the Grapefruit League opener Thursday in Viera against Washington, Collins said.

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