Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist accused his wife of "inappropriate marital conduct" in a complaint for legal separation filed in Tennessee this week, records show.
The complaint was filed the same day Zobrist's wife, Julianna, filed for divorce in Cook County. Julianna Zobrist gave no reason in the documents, but Zobrist's complaint alleges her conduct makes "further cohabitation impossible."
The document shows Ben Zobrist hopes to enter into a "Marital Dissolution Agreement and Permanent Parenting Plan to resolve the issues in this marriage, or alternatively, for the court to enter an Order of Legal Separation."
"Husband is unsure if the marriage can be salvaged," the complaint states.
Julianna Zobrist, a professional singer who previously sang the national anthem at numerous Cubs games and also performed at a 2016 World Series game at Wrigley Field, hired Berger Schatz attorney Karen Krehbiel to represent her in the matter.
The Chicago Tribune reports Krehbiel also represented Chicago billionaire Kenneth Griffin in his divorce from Anne Dias Griffin in 2014. Krehbiel's office declined to comment on the matter.
Zobrist appears to be represented by Helen Sfikas Rogers with Nashville's Rogers Kamm & Shea.
Chicago Baseball
The couple has been married for 14 years and has three children together.
The news comes just days after social media users noticed that Julianna Zobrist had deleted her Twitter account, and that she had deleted numerous photos from her Instagram profile that featured her husband.
Ben Zobrist was granted a “leave of absence due to personal reasons” last week and was placed on the Cubs’ restricted list. He also missed the start of the team’s spring training in February for an “excused absence,” though it remains unclear if either is connected to the divorce proceedings.
"I texted with him the other day, reminded him how much I care about him, and about how much we miss him," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told the Chicago Sun-Times before the team's Tuesday game in Cincinnati.
