Astros release prospect Danry Vasquez following domestic incident

Embattled outfielder prospect Danry Vasquez, who is facing charges on suspicion of assault family violence, was released by the Houston Astros early Wednesday night.

The parent club released the 23-year-old Venezuelan a day after an affidavit revealed there was video of the assault of which Vasquez is accused. Major League baseball commissioner Rob Manfred indefinitely suspended Vasquez earlier Wednesday. The Astros had placed him on administrative leave after the incident.

“The Astros have released minor-league player Danry Vasquez effective immediately and upon MLB’s ruling today,” the Astros said in a statement.

“We are appreciative of MLB’s commitment to take timely action and for the diligence of the Corpus Christi PD in pursuing their investigation.

“We appreciate the ruling today as it supports our firm intention to terminate Danry’s association with our club,” the ballclub’s statement continued. “We will continue to cooperate with Corpus Christi PD as they complete their investigation.”

Police arrested Vasquez, who was playing for Class AA Corpus Christi (Tex.), on a warrant Aug. 4 on suspicion of the assault, a misdemeanor. He was released on $10,000 bail the next day.

Footage of the attack was captured on video by Hooks surveillance cameras in a stairwell at Whataburger Field. The video shows Vasquez backhanding his girlfriend’s face three times in a stairwell.

Vondracek writes for the Caller-Times in Corpus Christi, Tex., part of the Paste BN Network