Who is Khalil Lee? All you need to know about the Mets pitcher being accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend 

The domestic violence case of New York Mets pitcher Khalil Lee has cast a dark shadow over the team's pitching repertoire. The Mets have made history with their pitching over the past two seasons, handing over the most lucrative contracts ever to top starters.

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer both signed deals worth over $86 million per year. The move is part of a larger strategy by billionaire owner Steve Cohen to attract talent to the team.

However, a story about a lesser-known pitcher, Khalil Lee, has been making the rounds this week. If found guilty, it could be the latest development in a year plagued by cases of domestic abuse by MLB players.

Lee was originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2016. He found his way to the Mets organization by virtue of a trade in 2021 that sent him to the Big Apple from KC. The outfielder made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in May of that year and hit his first career home run in June 2022. In all, he has appeared in 13 career games, registering one home run and four RBIs off just two hits.

"Khalil Lee hits his first major league home run!" - SNY

As of 2022, Lee lived in Syracuse, New York, which is the home of his Triple-A team, the Syracuse Mets. On Feb. 1, 2023, Syracuse Police issued a warrant for his arrest after his girlfriend levied claims of domestic abuse against the 24-year old.

The woman, named Kerwin Hill, filed the suit in May 2022, which accused Lee of “chok[ing] her neck with his hands to the point where she could not breathe or speak for a brief period," according to the New York Post.

"Mets outfielder Khalil Lee is facing a lawsuit and an arrest warrant for criminal obstruction of breath." - Michael Mayer

The report was replete with heinous accusations against Khalil Lee, whom she met in 2021. Accusations include verbal abuse, infidelity and insulting language, in addition to the alleged physical abuse. Multiple law suits were filed, including one with a Federal Court that charged Lee with "obstruction of breath."

Khalil Lee drama is the latest in a succession of grisly tales

As if the accusations against Lee weren't sordid enough, it is not the first such tale to come to the forefront this season. Los Angeles Dodgers' former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer was suspended for 194 games and released by his team following a sexual assault investigation. Meanwhile, San Diego Padres' Mike Clevinger is involved in an abuse scandal of his own.