Pirates closer Vazquez arrested on child sex charges
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez was arrested Tuesday on multiple felony charges, including statutory sexual assault, soliciting a child and pornography, and was placed on administrative leave by MLB.
Vazquez was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police on one count of computer pornography/ solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors, both felonies, stemming from an investigation in Florida. He was later charged in Westmoreland County, which is located east of Pittsburgh, with felony counts of statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person under 16 years old.
Vazquez was arraigned via video from the Allegheny County jail, wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and glasses, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He was denied bond, the newspaper reported.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it began investigating the 28-year-old in August after learning of an alleged sexual relationship between Vazquez and a teenage girl living in Lee County, Fla. Vazquez, who lives in Saint Cloud, Fla., and the victim began the relationship when the girl was 13, authorities said.
The girl, now 15, allegedly received a text message from Vazquez in July in which he was performing a sex act. Vazquez also texted the girl to ask if she wanted to meet for a sexual encounter following the end of the baseball season, according to police.
Authorities arrested Vazquez after executing a search warrant at his Pittsburgh apartment. Police said they seized electronic devices that will be used in the investigation.
Vazquez is expected to be extradited to Florida.
Betances suffers torn Achilles
Dellin Betances’ season appears to be over after just eight pitches.
The New York Yankees reliever partially tore the Achilles tendon in his left foot when he hopped on the mound after striking out Brandon Drury, the second and final batter he faced in his season debut Sunday at Toronto.
Betances was sore when he arrived at Yankee Stadium before Tuesday’s game, and the team was concerned when he was unable to get on his toes. He was then sent for tests.
A 31-year-old righthander, Betances is a four-time All-Star who is eligible for free agency after the World Series.
Odds and ends
Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis has a broken right hand and will require what is likely to be season-ending surgery. … The Yankees plan to activate Giancarlo Stanton on Wednesday or Thursday in an attempt to get the oftinjured outfielder ready for the playoffs. … White Sox All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito will miss the rest of the year with a mild lat strain. … Phillies outfielder Corey Dickerson will not return this season after an injury to his left foot was determined to be a fracture. … Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog is recovering from a minor stroke. Herzog, 87, became ill Monday at his charity golf tournament at Forest Hills Country Club in suburban St. Louis.