NEW YORK — Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez violated a restraining order by sending dozens of text messages to his girlfriend in the weeks after he was accused of assaulting her father outside a family lounge at Citi Field and will face additional charges, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Rodriguez appeared for a routine hearing in Queens Criminal Court on third-degree assault and harassment charges, and will face additional charges of criminal contempt for sending the messages.
Judge Robert Raciti denied a request to send the right-hander to jail for sending the messages to Daian Peña, the mother of their 1-year-old twins. He was arrested after a loss to Colorado on Aug. 11. Peña never responded to the messages, 56 in total, which were mostly apologetic and nonthreatening.
Rodriguez was told to return Oct. 7. He will be jailed if he has any further communication with Peña, the judge ruled.
Footnotes.
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was out of the starting lineup against the Cubs because of tendinitis in his left elbow. He is expected to return to the lineup tonight.
• Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher underwent an MRI exam that showed inflammation, but no structural problems to his ailing left knee. He received a cortisone shot and will likely be out of the starting lineup until this weekend.
• Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will appeal his one-game suspension, imposed for taking part in an on-field celebration after being ejected.
• Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva, who missed his last start because of elbow tendinitis, will be re-evaluated after a week of treatment.
The Associated Press
