New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested after punching his father-in-law in the team's clubhouse Wednesday evening, according to the New York Post.
Police told the newspaper that Rodriguez was charged with assault and that his father-in-law went to a hospital with facial bruises and other injuries.
The New York Daily News reported that the altercation occurred in the Family Lounge at Citi Field where relatives were waiting for players after the Mets' 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
At one point, Rodriguez was outside the lounge yelling before security got him back in the clubhouse, the Daily News also reported.
The Mets confirmed there was an incident between Rodriguez and his family, and referred all questions to the police.
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UPDATE New York Post
K ROD TRYING TO FLEE SCENE OF THE CRIMENOT SO FAST: Francisco Rodriguez, trying to leave Citi Field in his Lamborghini last night, is told to head back to the clubhouse, where he was busted.
Fiery Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was busted for assaulting his father-in-law in the Citi Field clubhouse last night, cops said.
Rodriguez, nicknamed K-Rod for his many strikeouts, allegedly clashed with the 53-year-old man at around 10:15 p.m. amid other players' families after the Mets blew a lead to the Colorado Rockies and lost, 6-2.
The 28-year-old record-holder for most saves in a single-season was arrested and charged with assault.
"Mind your own f - - king business!" the irate pitcher spewed at reporters asking about the incident.
His father-in-law, whose name was withheld, was taken to Flushing Hospital with facial bruises and a head bump.
Cops said Rodriguez, a former All-Star, would spend the night at Citi Field in police custody before heading to arraignment at Queens Criminal Court today on a charge of third-degree assault.
Police sources said he was being held at the stadium for security reasons -- so he wouldn't be with other inmates at either the police station house or central booking.
Cops wouldn't say whether Rodriguez is accused of slugging or shoving his wife's father.
The hurler did not file a cross complaint.
It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the dispute, but the notoriously volatile K-Rod was in a rotten mood after being passed over by Met manager Jerry Manuel in a bases-loaded situation in the eighth-inning last night.
Manuel was hoping to save him for the ninth.
But the Mets, who fell one game under .500, wound up blowing it in the eighth, and K-Rod never entered the game.
Rodriguez, who is known for wildly emotional antics while on the mound, even blew up at reporters who tried to talk to him after the game -- but before he allegedly attacked his father-in-law.
"Did I f - - king pitch tonight?" he barked when asked about the loss.
"Why do I have to talk to you f - - king guys?"
Rodriguez's agent declined to comment.
The Mets confirmed an incident between their star and his family, but declined to comment further.
This isn't the first time Rodriguez has lost his cool.
In May, Rodriguez and bullpen coach Randy Niemann got into a heated argument during warmups.
K-Rod was signed as a free agent before the 2009 season to a three-year, $39 million deal.
So far this year, he has a 2.25 earned-run average and 25 saves.
I was at the game and I can testify the fans were very upset than Mets manager didn't have K Rod in the game. I never heard Manual get booed so hard when he went to the mound to remove Acosta and when he returned to the dugout.
But, I had no idea K Rod went nuts until I saw it on the news when I got home.
It's time to cut Jerry Manual loose!
K Rod?
You can't go around beating up on people. Except maybe a Yankee or two.
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