MLB investigating free agent pitcher Sam Dyson over domestic violence claim

Veteran relief pitcher Sam Dyson is hoping a team will sign him after his somewhat shaky finish to the 2018 season with the Minnesota Twins, but the right-hander has some off-field trouble to sort through first.

Dyson’s girlfriend, Alexis Blackburn, shared two lengthy Instagram posts this week in which she alluded to being a victim of domestic violence. While she did not mention Dyson by name, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Strang of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Blackburn was referring to Dyson, and the 31-year-old is now under investigation by Major League Baseball.

Blackburn shared the disturbing claims on two different Instagram accounts — one that is her personal account and another that she created to post about her cat, Snuckles. On her own account, Blackburn wrote about allowing her physical and emotional health to “diminish” as a result of abuse.

“I’ve allowed more things to happen than I want to admit. I don’t know who this girl is right now because this hasn’t been me,” Blackburn wrote. “I haven’t been me in so long. I’ve allowed myself to use the word ‘sorry’ in every conversation whether I did something wrong or not.”

Blackburn then authored another post from the Snuckles account in which she accused someone of hurling objects at her and the cat and wrote, “No one deserves to be intimidated, scared, worthless and hopeless.”

This is sickening.

For those who don't know– Snuckles is Sam Dyson's cat. The account is run by his girlfriend.

MLB has a domestic violence problem. pic.twitter.com/97PvanySBF

— Victoria (@biaginger) November 26, 2019

Dyson began last season with the San Francisco Giants, where he posted an impressive 2.47 ERA in 49 appearances. He was then traded to the Twins for prospects at the July 31 deadline, and the deal did not work out for Minnesota. Dyson struggled and allowed 14 hits and nine earned runs in 12 appearances to close out the season.

As The Athletic notes, two MLB players have been suspended in recent years after MLB investigated domestic violence allegations made on social media. Former catcher Derek Norris was suspended on Sept. 1, 2017, for the remainder of the season after his ex-fiancee accused him of domestic violence. On Sept. 20, 2018, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell’s ex-wife detailed numerous instances of domestic abuse, and he was suspended for 40 games.

Dyson’s representatives have not yet responded to the allegations from Blackburn.