Starlin Castro’s agent disputed reports that the Cubs’ shortstop was arrested in a nightclub shooting in the Dominican Republic, saying he voluntarily went to the police to be questioned.
According to a report from Dominican newspaper El Caribe, six people were injured in the Friday night shooting in Castro’s hometown of Montecristi after a fight that involved Castro’s brother and bodyguards. The report said Castro was arrested, but agent Paul Kinzer said Castro “wasn’t involved” at all.
“Starlin was not arrested or detained or anything,” Kinzer said. “He went to the police station to make sure they knew he was not involved. They told him they had video so they knew he was not involved.”
Kinzer said he did not know if the brother or Castro’s bodyguards were arrested.
Cubs president Theo Epstein did not respond to messages.
It was the second time in a month that Castro had been questioned in a shooting in the Dominican Republic. The first incident took place three weeks ago outside a concert. Castro was questioned but cleared of any involvement, Kinzer said.
The two incidents still lead to new questions about Castro’s future with the Cubs, and whether it will be negatively affected by his decision-making.
Kinzer said Castro has spoken to Epstein, who apparently was unhappy with the latest incident, whether Castro is innocent or not.
Kinzer conceded Castro, who has a young son, needs to avoid the club scene to avoid getting a reputation as a “thug” who hangs out with the wrong crowd.
“He’s such a good kid,” he said. “I told him, ‘When your name keeps getting tied to this stuff, it doesn’t matter.’ ”
Kinzer said Castro will leave the Dominican for Miami in the first week of January before reporting to spring training in Mesa, Ariz. He told Castro to stay home for New Year’s Eve.
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