The Los Angeles Dodgers released catcher Miguel Olivo on Thursday, two days after he allegedly bit off a portion of teammate Alex Guerrero’s left ear in a dugout fight during a Triple-A game.
The team announced the move in a two-sentence statement that made no reference to the fight during a game Tuesday at Salt Lake City.
The release of Olivo, a 10-year veteran, came one day after he was suspended from the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque.
In a 7-4 Albuquerque loss to Salt Lake City, Olivo had to be restrained from going after Guerrero on the mound during a pitching change, apparently angry that Guerrero failed to tag out a base stealer, according to MLB.com.
The 35-year-old Olivo then reportedly punched Guerrero in the dugout the next inning and, while being restrained by teammates, launched at and bit off a piece of Guerrero’s left ear. Guerrero, who is recovering from reconstructive surgery on his ear, will remain in a Salt Lake City hospital for a couple of days. He could be sidelined a month or longer.
Olivo was optioned back to Albuquerque last week when starting catcher A.J. Ellis was activated off the disabled list following right knee surgery.
Guerrero, a Cuban infielder, signed for $28 million this past winter.
According to the Salt Lake City police, Guerrero declined to file a complaint with the police about the incident.
Guerrero, 27, played for the Dodgers during their season-opening trip to Australia, but has been with Albuquerque since the Triple-A season began.