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TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Al Reyes was shocked with a stun gun and arrested early Friday after police say he fell against a ceramic pot in a bar, got up and picked a fight with a man he thought pushed him.
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The reliever apologized to teammates, fans and the entire Rays organization before Friday night's game against Baltimore, and manager Joe Maddon said the club was not planning any disciplinary action.
"I tried to have a good time on my birthday, but I guess it was the worst one," said Reyes, who was in uniform at Tropicana Field and available to pitch against the Orioles. "I just want to apologize again to my teammates, the whole organization ... for what happened last night."
Reyes, 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA in two appearances this season, did not take questions.
He was treated at the scene for a cut on his nose and was charged with being in a fight that disturbed the peace. Eduardo Mora was charged with battery. Both men were released on their own recognizance.
"It's just one of those unfortunate, isolated incidents. I don't really believe you're going to see that happen again with Al," Maddon said. "We're just going to move beyond it. It's just unfortunate that it occurred."
Witnesses told officers that Reyes, who turned 38 on Thursday, appeared to be intoxicated when he exchanged words with Mora, who punched the 6-foot-1, 240-pound pitcher in the face at the Hyde Park Cafe around 2:30 a.m.
A police statement said that when bouncers grabbed Mora, Reyes began spitting blood on patrons and swinging his arms. When the bouncers were unable to control Reyes, a police officer working extra duty at the club intervened, asking Reyes to stop.
When the pitcher "continued spitting blood and thrashing about," the officer told Reyes he was going to use his Taser, which knocked Reyes to the ground. He was shocked a second time after not complying with commands to stay down.
