Phillies' Myers arrested, charged
Three witnesses saw the pitcher hit his wife in the face on a street.
BOSTON (AP) -- Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers was arrested Friday and charged with hitting his wife in the face on a street not far from Fenway Park.
The team's best starter, who was scheduled to pitch today against the Red Sox, pleaded not guilty to assault charges at his arraignment Friday in Boston Municipal Court, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. Myers' next court date is Aug. 4.
"My lawyers have advised me not to comment on the issue," Myers said before Friday night's game with Boston.
Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said the team would not take disciplinary action against Myers until the legal case is resolved.
"It's a very sensitive issue," Gillick said, "and I certainly think that anything that affects our players or affects the team, we take it very seriously. ... I don't know that it's an embarrassment" to the team.
Argument
Myers was arguing with his wife shortly after midnight at the corner of Boylston and Dalton streets, Procopio said. The woman and two witnesses told police the 25-year-old pitcher hit her. One witness told investigators Myers also pulled her hair.
"The evidence at this point leads us to believe the victim was struck in the left side of her face," Procopio said. He added that investigators are trying to determine if Myers hit her with a fist or open hand and whether he hit her more than once.
Police responded to a 911 call and found Myers' wife crying and with a swollen face, Procopio said. Officers found Myers nearby and arrested him. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Myers was booked by Boston police, and his wife posted his $200 bail. Procopio did not know how long Myers was in jail.
Domestic violence victim
Procopio said he would not identify Myers' wife because she is a domestic violence victim. A player biography on Major League Baseball's Web site says Myers married Kim Wickman in September 2002 and the couple has a 3-year-old daughter.
As part of his bail conditions, Myers must not initiate contact with his wife and can see her only if she wants to see him. The judge also ruled that if Myers is arrested again while out on bail he can be jailed for up to two months.
"Both he and his wife, we offer whatever support, whatever needs that they might have," Gillick said.
He said he talked with Myers but wouldn't comment on what Myers said about the alleged incident.
"He's been our best pitcher and I think it's in the best interests of the club that he does pitch [today]." Gillick said.
Myers is 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA in his fifth major-league season, all with the Phillies.
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