Infielder Adam Kennedy, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Mariners earlier in the month, was arrested Thursday in Newport Beach and charged with driving under the influence.
The story, first announced by the TMZ website, came in the middle of the Mariners annual pre-spring training media session.
Mariner general manager Jack Zduriencik learned of the event from the media and said as he didnt know any details, there was no way he could comment.
“Im not going to say anything now, Zduriencik said, “because I dont know anything about it. Its news to me.
Officer John Patterson told the Los Angeles Times said the 35-year-old Kennedy was stopped about 9 p.m. by the California Highway Patrol Wednesday night while driving north on Highway 73.
Kennedy was turned over to the Orange County Sherriffs Department and booked at Mens Central Jail, from which he was released about 6 a.m. Thursday.
The Mariners signed Kennedy to compete for the starting second base job or be a utility infielder. Best known as one of the driving forces in the Angels World Series win in 2002, Kennedy also has played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland As and Washington Nationals.
This is the second time this month that a Mariner has run afoul of the law in Southern California. Left fielder Milton Bradley was arrested on Jan. 19 on a felony charge of allegedly making threats against a woman.