FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Eric DuBose was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Monday morning in Sarasota, Fla., before making a start later that day at the team's minor league complex. He was released on $500 bond.
DuBose, 28, was arrested at 1:17 a.m. after an officer on foot patrol observed the pitcher's black GMC truck swerving into an oncoming lane, according to the Sarasota County police report. DuBose also came close to rear-ending another vehicle, the report said.
Deputy T.W. Shirley contacted another officer, who pulled over DuBose's vehicle. Shirley identified DuBose as the driver.
According to the report, Deputy David Clark Jr. saw DuBose's truck swerve across the yellow line three times. Clark noted that DuBose's speech was slurred, and the pitcher exhibited poor balance, had watery and blood-shot eyes and an "odor of alcoholic beverage."
The report states DuBose informed Clark he had "a couple" drinks at the Cafe Gardens and Daiquiri Deck in Sarasota. When instructed to recite the alphabet, DuBose allegedly said, "I'm from Alabama, and they have a different alphabet."
DuBose's alcohol level registered at .113 more than an hour after being stopped. The legal limit in Florida is .08.
DuBose was booked at 1:47 a.m. and released at 10:28 a.m. He pitched six innings later that afternoon against a collection of minor league players while the Orioles had the day off.
DuBose must appear in court on April 13 for his arraignment while the Orioles are in the middle of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.
He arrived at Fort Lauderdale Stadium yesterday morning, but had permission to skip the workout and exhibition game against the Devil Rays because he pitched on Monday. DuBose wasn't available to comment on the arrest, and the team didn't issue a statement.
"From our standpoint, it's a personal matter and we're not going to comment," club spokesman Bill Stetka said.
DuBose's agent, James McGinnis, didn't return calls to The Sun.
Trying to make the team as a fifth starter or left-hander in the bullpen, DuBose is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA this spring. He began last season in the rotation but underwent surgery on July 1 to remove bone chips and spurs from his left elbow.
If the Orioles want to send DuBose to the minors, they might have trouble getting him to Triple-A Ottawa because of the arrest, which would delay his ability to obtain a work visa in Canada. The team faced a similar problem with John Parrish, who also had a DUI on his record, and he began the 2003 season at Double-A Bowie.