Sporting News staff reports
New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after injuring his father-in-law in a postgame fight inside Citi Field, New York City police said Wednesday night.
Police spokesman Lt. Mike Wysokowski told Newsday that Rodriguez "was arrested at 10:15 after a domestic dispute in the family area with what appeared to be his father-in-law. The victim suffered facial abrasions and was taken to Flushing Hospital." Police did not release the father-in-law’s name.
SportsNet New York, which broadcasts Mets’ games, reported Rodriguez will be arraigned Thursday in Queens Criminal Court. The New York Post reported Rodriguez was held overnight at the Citi Field detention area.
Third-degree assault is a misdemeanor in New York.
The Daily News reported the incident took place outside the Mets’ clubhouse after the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Rodriguez did not pitch in the game, in which the Mets blew a one-run lead in the eighth inning. He was visibly upset while speaking with reporters prior to the incident.
Stadium security led Rodriguez back into the team’s clubhouse after the altercation, the News reports. Rodriguez later cursed at a reporter who asked him what had happened.
The Mets released a statement confirming that Rodriguez was involved in an altercation. They referred further questions to the NYPD.
Rodriguez has had previous confrontations with a team official, a coach and an opponent in his 1½ seasons with the Mets, though none of them reached this level.
The excitable, 28-year-old pitcher signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets after posting a record 62 saves with the Angels in 2008. He is 4-2 with 25 saves and a 2.24 ERA this season.
Rodriguez did not pitch in the Mets’ latest loss, which dropped them below .500. Reliever Manny Acosta gave up a two-out grand slam to Melvin Mora in the eighth inning.
In May, Rodriguez and bullpen coach Randy Niemann got into a heated exchange while the pitcher was preparing to enter a game. Mets manager Jerry Manuel later said the matter was resolved, without divulging what caused the dispute.
In July 2009, Rodriguez and former Mets official Tony Bernazard argued aboard the team bus. Bernazard was later fired by the Mets amid several allegations.
That June, Rodriguez and New York Yankees reliever Brian Bruney needed to be separated before a game. They had jawed at each other in the media a day earlier.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sporting News staff reports
New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after injuring his father-in-law in a postgame fight inside Citi Field, New York City police said Wednesday night.
Police spokesman Lt. Mike Wysokowski told Newsday that Rodriguez "was arrested at 10:15 after a domestic dispute in the family area with what appeared to be his father-in-law. The victim suffered facial abrasions and was taken to Flushing Hospital." Police did not release the father-in-law’s name.
SportsNet New York, which broadcasts Mets’ games, reported Rodriguez will be arraigned Thursday in Queens Criminal Court. The New York Post reported Rodriguez was held overnight at the Citi Field detention area.
Third-degree assault is a misdemeanor in New York.
The Daily News reported the incident took place outside the Mets’ clubhouse after the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Rodriguez did not pitch in the game, in which the Mets blew a one-run lead in the eighth inning. He was visibly upset while speaking with reporters prior to the incident.
Stadium security led Rodriguez back into the team’s clubhouse after the altercation, the News reports. Rodriguez later cursed at a reporter who asked him what had happened.
The Mets released a statement confirming that Rodriguez was involved in an altercation. They referred further questions to the NYPD.
Rodriguez has had previous confrontations with a team official, a coach and an opponent in his 1½ seasons with the Mets, though none of them reached this level.
The excitable, 28-year-old pitcher signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets after posting a record 62 saves with the Angels in 2008. He is 4-2 with 25 saves and a 2.24 ERA this season.
Rodriguez did not pitch in the Mets’ latest loss, which dropped them below .500. Reliever Manny Acosta gave up a two-out grand slam to Melvin Mora in the eighth inning.
In May, Rodriguez and bullpen coach Randy Niemann got into a heated exchange while the pitcher was preparing to enter a game. Mets manager Jerry Manuel later said the matter was resolved, without divulging what caused the dispute.
In July 2009, Rodriguez and former Mets official Tony Bernazard argued aboard the team bus. Bernazard was later fired by the Mets amid several allegations.
That June, Rodriguez and New York Yankees reliever Brian Bruney needed to be separated before a game. They had jawed at each other in the media a day earlier.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.