Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright was arrested Friday at his home in Tennessee on a domestic assault charge.
Steven Wright arrested on domestic assault charges pic.twitter.com/5oVvwRmLoB
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 11, 2017
Wright’s family released a statement through his lawyer, Alex Little, in which they claim Wright “got into a verbal argument” and “did not raise his hand at anyone during the incident.”
Statement on behalf of Steven Wright’s family obtained by NBC Sports Boston, after Wright was arrested and charged with domestic assault: “… he did not raise his hand at anyone during the incident, and the situation was purely emotional.” https://t.co/coUtgOhSxq pic.twitter.com/uGRbxSWYre
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 11, 2017
The Red Sox released a statement saying they are “aware of the incident” and that “the Red Sox take it very seriously.”
Team statement: 'We are aware of the incident involving Steven. This is certainly a matter that the Red Sox take very seriously. It is my understanding that both local police and MLB are looking into this and for that reason, the club won’t have any further comment at this time.
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 11, 2017
Wright, 33, is a knuckleballer that had a very productive season in 2016 for the Red Sox (3.33 ERA in 156 2/3 innings over 24 starts), before only making five starts in 2017 — and struggling badly with an 8.25 ERA — due to knee issues that forced surgery in May.
The right-hander has been expected to compete for Boston’s fifth spot in the starting rotation for 2018, but obviously this news can’t help his chances. He could also be suspended under MLB’s domestic violence policy that was put into place in 2015.