Santo Domingo.– The domestic-assault case brought against Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol by a 24-year-old woman in the Dominican Republic was kicked up to a higher court Friday, El Nacional reported.

According to the report, it’s unclear whether that raises the stakes on the case, especially considering it seemed authorities didn’t file criminal charges.

Paul Kinzer, Marmol’s agent, said his client expected to be on his flight from the Dominican Republic to Arizona on Sunday, despite a request by the woman’s lawyers to restrict Marmol from traveling outside the country. 

Marmol’s attorneys backed up their confidence with a countersuit alleging extortion and blackmail. The Cubs also expressed optimism that the player would be cleared.