NEW YORK – Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Julio Mateo was arrested Saturday following a dispute at a Manhattan hotel that left his female companion needing five stitches to her mouth, police said.
Police initially identified the woman as Mateo’s wife, but later said it was unclear whether that was true.
The 6-foot, 220-pound reliever was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault and was awaiting arraignment, police said.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Mateo was not at the hotel when police arrived, police spokesman Sgt. Mike Wysokowski said. The 29-year-old Mateo voluntarily turned himself in at a Manhattan police station early Saturday evening.
The woman was treated for her injuries at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan, according to Wysokowski.
“We’ve encouraged Julio to cooperate with the proper authorities and it’s our understanding that’s what he plans to do,” Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly said.
After Seattle’s 8-1 loss, Mateo was sent down to Class AAA Tacoma.
“It has nothing to do with what has gone on,” M’s manager Mike Hargrove said. “It has everything to do with the fact that we were playing a man short today and we don’t know anything about the situation as far as how long it’s going to take or last.”
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