CINCINNATI — Reds pitcher Mike Leake was arrested on a shoplifting charge at a downtown department store Monday, accused of trying to steal six shirts with a total value of $59.88.
The 23-year-old starter was booked at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of shoplifting. It carries a maximum of 180 days in jail.
He was arrested about two hours before Cincinnati pitchers were expected at Great American Ball Park to take batting practice before the final game of a series against Pittsburgh. Leake started and got the victory in an 11-2 win over the Pirates on Saturday.
Leake said in a statement released by the Reds that his attorney told him not to discuss the arrest. Leake apologized to his family, to the club and to fans “for this distraction.”
Police arrest reports said Leake removed the price tags from six American Rag T-shirts at a Macy’s store and tried to leave without paying for them. Leake makes $425,000 in his second season in the majors.
The right-hander was 8-4 with a 4.23 ERA last season.
Footnotes.
Designated hitter Johnny Damon was out of the Rays’ lineup because of an injured left hand he hurt while trying to bunt Sunday.
• Yankees left-hander Pedro Feliciano will put off surgery on a torn capsule in his left shoulder for at least 1 1/2 months.
• The Tigers moved reliever Joel Zumaya (elbow pain) to the 60-day disabled list.
The Associated Press
