Pirates All-Star closer faces charges, including statutory sexual assault

Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vázquez was arrested Tuesday on multiple felony charges, including statutory sexual assault, soliciting a child and pornography, and was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball.

Vázquez 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.

It was not immediately known if the charges in Pennsylvania were related to or independent of the Florida investigation. Vázquez’s attorney, Michael Comber, did not immediately return a message seeking comment from The Associated Press.

Vázquez 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, with the judge saying she believed Vázquez was a flight risk, the newspaper reported.

A two-time All-Star pitcher from Venezuela, Vázquez is 5-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 28 saves for the Pirates this season.

Vazquez signed a four-year, $22-million contract with Pittsburgh before the 2018 season, with the team holding club options for 2022 and 2023.