Phillies prospect on restricted list after domestic battery incident
Phillies infield prospect Jesmuel Valentin was placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list Monday after his arrest stemming from a domestic battery incident in Pinellas County, Fla.
Phillies infield prospect Jesmuel Valentin was placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list Monday after his arrest stemming from a domestic battery incident in Pinellas County, Fla.
St. Petersburg Police arrested Valentin, 20, last Sunday at 4:56 p.m., according to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office records. Authorities charged him with a first-degree misdemeanor. He was released Monday night, according to records.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge Wednesday, according to court records, and his attorney made a request for a jury trial.
Officials in Pinellas County did not return a message seeking details.
Valentin was slated to start this season with high-A Clearwater. The Phillies acquired him as part of the August trade of veteran righthander Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers. A native of Puerto Rico, he is the son of former major-leaguer Jose Valentin.
Valentin has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an investigation by the commissioner's office, the Phillies said in a statement. "The Phillies fully support this protocol and the Commissioner's action in this case. We will not make any further comment while the investigation is underway."