Orioles left-hander Troy Patton, who pitched one game in the majors in 2010, was arrested on suspicion of DWI in Houston on Sunday evening after driving over a curb and nearly hitting another vehicle.
Patton, 25, was stopped after a Houston Police Department officer witnessed Patton's black GMC Yukon traveling at a high rate of speed on a city street about 8:15 p.m., according to a Houston Police spokesman.
The arresting officer also said Patton's vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic without a directional signal and at one point ran over a curb and nearly hit another vehicle, the spokesman said.
Patton was charged with DWI, first offense, a Class B misdemeanor that includes a maximum penalty of up to six months in prison and a fine not to exceed $2,000, according to a Harris County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman.
Patton was released on $500 bond and is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing Friday morning.
According to KPRC-TV in Houston, which first reported the arrest, Patton took a Breathalyzer test Sunday and registered a blood-alcohol-content level of 0.14, exceeding the 0.08 limit in Texas.
Patton, who threw two-thirds of an inning against the Boston Red Sox in September after starting 25 games at Triple-A Norfolk in 2010, is expected to compete for a big league bullpen spot in 2011, though it's more likely he'll begin the season with the Tides.
Patton did not return multiple requests for comment Monday. He was originally scheduled to participate in the club's annual FanFest event Saturday but backed out last week because of a prior obligation.
Patton's agent, Peter Vescovo, declined to comment Monday. The Orioles are not commenting on the matter until they receive more information.
It's the second time this winter that an Orioles pitcher has gotten into legal trouble. Right-handed reliever Alfredo Simon remains in a Dominican Republic prison as the main suspect in the shooting death of his cousin on New Year's Day. He has not been charged with a crime.
Hearings for Scott, Guthrie set
Major League Baseball has set the arbitration hearings for designated hitter Luke Scott and starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.
According to an industry source, Scott's hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 and Guthrie's is set for Feb. 16. Both will be held in Phoenix. The sites alternate every year between Florida and Arizona.
Scott is asking for $6.85 million while the club has countered with $5.7 million. Guthrie is asking for $6.5 million; the team submitted $5 million. If there is no settlement before a hearing, one of the two filed numbers is chosen by an independent board of three arbitrators. The Orioles haven't gone to a hearing with a player since pitcher Rodrigo Lopez before the 2006 season.
Arias to help in spring training
Rudy Arias, who was with the Orioles from 1997 to 2007 as a batting practice pitcher and bullpen catcher, will be at spring training in Sarasota, Fla., as a staff assistant to manager Buck Showalter. Arias worked as the New York Yankees' bullpen catcher in 1995 and 1996; Showalter was the Yankees' manager in 1995.
Arias, 54, will have varied on-field and administrative duties in February, and it's possible the Orioles could extend his employment into the regular season. A native of Cuba and a former Seattle Mariners minor leaguer, Arias spent the past three seasons as the first base coach and catching instructor with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent American Association.
Showalter has not ruled out the possibility of hiring a seventh, "eye in the sky" coach for his staff, but if that happens, it won't occur until March.
Around the horn
Ronnie Deck is expected to return for his fourth season as the Orioles' full-time bullpen catcher. … The Detroit Tigers traded starter Armando Galarraga to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two minor leaguers Monday. Although looking for a veteran starter, the Orioles had only minimal interest in Galarraga, 29, who was 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) last season.
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Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.