Report: Miguel Sano Won't Be Suspended by MLB After Sexual Assault Investigation

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano will not face a suspension from MLB regarding allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in 2015, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Friday.

The Wall Street Journal's Jared Diamond shared part of MLB's statement about its decision:

"At the conclusion of the investigation, the Office of the Commissioner found there was insufficient evidence to support a disciplinary determination against Sano, due to conflicting and inconsistent witness accounts and the absence of contemporaneous substantiation. Barring the receipt of any new information or evidence, the Office of the Commissioner will not impose discipline on Sano in connection with the alleged incident."

In a since-deleted tweet, Betsy Bissen alleged Sano grabbed her and attempted to pull her into a bathroom and tried to kiss her multiple times at a 2015 autograph event despite her attempts to push him away, per Crasnick. According to the New York Times' Billy Witz. Bissen wrote Sano "didn't rape me, but he sure did assault me."

Sano denied the allegations in a statement, per Witz: "I unequivocally deny the allegation made against me today—it never happened."

The Star Tribune's La Velle E. Neal III and Phil Miller reported in February that Sano had met with MLB investigators. They wrote the meeting likely signaled the investigation was nearing its end since "interviewing the accused is typically the final step in an investigation of this sort."

MLB's decision comes six days before the Twins open the regular season on the road against the Baltimore Orioles.

A suspension for Sano would've left Minnesota without the starting left side of its infield after shortstop Jorge Polanco tested positive for a banned substance, which rules him out for the first 80 games in 2018.