NEW YORK — Suspended Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was released without bail Thursday and ordered to stay away from his girlfriend’s father, whom he is accused of attacking outside a family lounge at Citi Field.
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after New York’s 6-2 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday night. The team put him on the restricted list without pay for two days, costing him $125,683 in salary.
The 28-year-old reliever is accused of grabbing 53-year- old Carlos Peña, hauling him into a nearby tunnel, hitting him in the face and banging his head against the wall. Peña went to a hospital with a scrape and swelling above his right eyebrow.
Rodriguez did not enter a plea. Held overnight at Citi Field, he did not speak but nodded as the judge spoke to him.
“Ownership and the organization are very disappointed in Francisco’s inappropriate behavior, and we take this matter very seriously,” Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said.
Judge Mary O’Donoghue in Queens Criminal Court issued orders of protection for Rodriguez to stay away from his girlfriend — Daian Peña, the mother of their 1-year-old twins — and her father. Rodriguez was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Sept. 14.
