Advertisement

Rays' Randy Arozarena detained in Mexico after allegedly trying to abduct daughter

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena has been detained in Yucatan, a Mexican state, for allegedly trying to abduct his daughter from her mother’s home and assaulting the woman’s father. The Spanish-language newspaper Yucatan Ahora was the first to report the incident, which the Tampa Bay Times confirmed with Arozarena’s agent, Abel Guerra.

“The only thing I know is he was hyper-sensitive about making sure that the child’s needs were being taken care of,” Guerra told the Tampa Bay Times. “He was always sending money down there, and he was very involved in her life. I don’t want to speculate about (anything else).”

Guerra, who has not spoken to Arozarena, called it a “horrible, unfortunate situation.”

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27:  Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game Six of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Randy Arozarena has been detained in Mexico after allegedly trying to abduct his young daughter from her mother's home. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Times reported that Arozarena will likely be held for 48 hours. More information, including the charges he’s being held under, is expected to come in several days from the prosecutor handling the case. Arozarena is scheduled to meet with his lawyer on Tuesday night.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, MLB is currently investigating the incident. The MLB and MLBPA joint domestic violence policy would dictate any punishment Arozarena might receive, since the alleged incident involved at least one member of his family.

Arozarena was MLB playoff stud

Arozarena, 25, was the breakout star of the 2020 playoffs. He often played the hero at the plate for a sluggish Rays offense. Originally from Cuba, he defected in 2015 and escaped by boat to Mexico.

Following the Rays’ loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Arozarena’s life story was slated to be made into a major motion picture. The current status of that project is unknown.

More from Yahoo Sports: