One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The New York Mets claimed right-hander Sam Coonrod off waivers Monday from the Philadelphia Phillies.
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To make room for Coonrod on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated outfielder Khalil Lee for assignment.
Syracuse.com reported last week Lee is facing federal charges for allegedly abusing his girlfriend while he was playing for Triple-A Syracuse last season.
According to the report, a warrant has been “issued by Syracuse police for criminal obstruction of breath, a charge often associated with domestic incidents.”
Per Syracuse.com, Lee, now 24, was accused by his ex-girlfriend of pulling her hair and choking her during an argument last May. According to Syracuse.com, the victim had multiple bruises and marks on her body.
Lee kicked her in the thigh causing her to fall down, her lawsuit claims. ... After Lee called her ugly, (the victim) slapped Lee in the face and walked away, she says. Lee then grabbed (the victim’s) box braids and “yanked her backward” causing her to hit the kitchen island, she alleges. (The victim) felt Lee’s hand around her neck but could not breathe or speak to tell him to let her go, she claims. After around 10 to 15 seconds, Lee let go and pushed (the victim) away from him.
According to the report, the ex-girlfriend went to a hotel and photographed her bruises. She went to the police the next day and filed a report. An arrest warrant was issued in August, charging Lee with criminal obstruction of breath, a misdemeanor. Syracuse.com reports “the lawsuit alleges that a Major League Baseball counsel has been notified of the charge.”
SNY’s Andy Martino reported “Major League Baseball has an open investigation into the allegations of assault against Khalil Lee, who is on the Mets’ 40-man roster, I am told.”
The Royals selected Lee in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Before the 2021 season, Kansas City shipped him to the Mets in the three-team trade with the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Andrew Benintendi.
MLB Pipeline lists Lee as the Mets’ No. 26 prospect. He made his MLB debut in 2021, playing in 11 games for the Mets and going just 1-for-18. Lee had another cup of coffee last season, appearing in two games and going 1-for-2. The one hit was his first big-league home run.
As a matter of policy, NJ Advance Media does not disclose the names of victims of alleged domestic violence.
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As for Coonrod, here’s what you need to know, per Mets PR:
Coonrod, 30, is 7-5 with five saves, a 5.27 ERA (57 earned runs/97.1 innings) and 95 strikeouts in 105 combined major league games between the San Francisco Giants (2019-2020) and Phillies (2021-2022).
The 6-1, 225-pounder appeared in 12 games for Philadelphia last season. He was 2-2 with two saves and a 4.04 ERA (19 earned runs/42.1 innings) in 42 games for the Phillies in 2021.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.