Posted on August 26, 2016 by Bryan Zarpentine
Image via dallasnews.com
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress was arrested early Friday morning and charged with DWI. He was released later Friday morning on a $500 bond. Jeffress was acquired by the Rangers right before the August 1 trade deadline from the Milwaukee Brewers in the same deal that sent catcher Jonathan Lucroy to Texas.
Jeffress was reportedly pulled over by Dallas police around 2:30 a.m. Friday. Police say Jeffress changed lanes without signaling and nearly hit another car. Officers described his eyes as “bloodshot, watery, and glassy” and report that his breath smelled like alcohol. Jeffress told police he had just left the Sisu nightclub. He admitted to drinking three or four cups of cognac mixed with cola between 12:15 and 1:15 a.m.
The Sisu nightclub is a roughly 20 minute drive from Globe Life Park in Arlington where the Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 9-0 Thursday night. Jeffress did not pitch in the game.
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According to an affidavit, a sobriety test was conducted in which Jeffress struggled to balance himself and stand on one leg. The affidavit also says that Jeffress urinated on himself at one point after the officer insisted on performing the sobriety test before allowing Jeffress to urinate. A breathalyzer test revealed Jeffress had a blood-alcohol concentration of .115.
At 5:13 a.m., Jeffress was booked into Dallas County Jail, and according to the Dallas County sheriff’s office, he was released after posting bond around 11 a.m. In the passenger seat of the car was an unidentified woman. Jeffress told police that he was driving the woman to her car, which he said was parked nearby. Neither Jeffress or his representatives have commented on the issue at this time.
The Rangers released a statement Friday morning that reads: “The Texas Rangers are aware of the situation involving Jeremy Jeffress that took place early this morning. At this time, we are in the process of the gathering information and have no further comment.”
While searching his car, police found a substance they believe to be marijuana or synthetic marijuana. Jeffress denied ownership of the substance, telling police he had “several passengers in the vehicle earlier in the day.” Police collected the substance for evidence but did not charge Jeffress or the woman with anything drug related. Blood tests were performed to test Jeffress for marijuana and synthetic cannabinoid.
As a minor leaguer, Jeffress was suspended on three separate occasions for marijuana use. His last positive test was in 2009 and resulted in a 100-game suspension. Jeffress has said in the past his marijuana use is to treat epilepsy, a condition he’s had since he was a teenager.
It will be interesting to see what kind of punishment Jeffress receives from the Rangers or MLB. There is no league policy for a DWI arrest, although it would not be surprising to see Rob Manfred’s office issue a punishment at some point. The Rangers continue their series with the Indians at home Friday night. There’s no word on whether Jeffress will be at the ballpark and active for that game.
Jeffress has allowed four runs in nine innings of work since coming to the Rangers. After serving as Milwaukee’s closer earlier this season and recording 27 saves for the Brewers, Jeffress has worked in a setup role in Texas, with Sam Dyson in the closer’s role. If Jeffress is suspended as a result of his arrest, it could have a significant impact on the Texas bullpen, which has arguably been the team’s biggest weakness this year.