NY Mets pitcher Rodriguez to plead guilty to assault charges

NY Mets pitcher Rodriguez to plead guilty to assault charges

2010-12-03 07:48:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez on Thursday said that he will plead guilty to assault charges on Friday stemming from the brutal beat down on his girlfriend’s father on August 11.

According to the NY Daily News, Rodriguez, 28, must attend anger management sessions to control his temper as agreed on a deal with the Queens District Attorney’s Office. It is unlikely that he will spend time in jail.

Rodriguez, also known as 'K-Rod,' violently assaulted 53-year-old Carlos Pena after a defeat in Mets’ ballpark Citi Field. He pinned Pena against a wall and punched him repeatedly as the horrified wives and children of other players witnessed.

Besides the assault charges, he was also issued a restraining order from his then girlfriend Daian Pena. Rodriguez also faces additional charges after he violated the order by sending many text messages to her.

The four-time All Star closer issued a public apology after the incident and was sidelined for the rest of the season after injuring a torn ligament in his right thumb. The New York Mets also suspended the pitcher for two days.

However, newly-appointed General Manager Sandy Alderson ratified that the team will keep the closer for the next season despite rumors that he may be traded or released for his behavior during last season.

Rodriguez, who initially faced two years of imprisonment, will earn $11.5 million next year. He was sued by Carlos Pena for suffering injuries to his brain, head, face, neck and back from the violent attack.

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