Yankees Paneda Arrested for Drunk Driving in Tampa

Yankee pitcher Michael Pineda was arrested for suspicion of DUI Monday just miles from the team’s training camp.

Pineda’s arrest took place around 2:35 a.m. Monday morning after police observed him driving erratically. According to the report the pitcher was traveling without his headlights on at a “very high rate of speed.” Police say he was “weaving side to side, crossing the land markers/failing to maintain single lane of travel.”

The arresting officer said Paneda “appeared to be intoxicated” and “had a fixed gaze and his eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy,” just a few of the signs officers look for when trying to determine if a driver is intoxicated.

Paneda also smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech. Blood alcohol tests revealed that his BAC was between .125 and .128, well above the Florida’s legal limit if .08.

Paneda who was initially a wonderful acquisition for the Yankees has been a problem; he missed the last season because of a shoulder injury and showed up to training camp overweight and out of shape. His DUI arrest won’t help improve his standing with the team.

Neither Yankees general Manager Brian Cashman nor manager Joe Giardi had a comment about the arrest.

Hopefully the off-season for MLB won’t be like the NFL’s off-season where several players netted DUI arrests. Luckily for these pro athletes they can afford the best DUI attorneys to beat a conviction or get a reduced charge.