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Rays' IF Aybar Lands In Jail

Marc Lancaster

Published: February 4, 2008

New Rays infielder Willy Aybar has been jailed in the Dominican Republic since late last week and reportedly is facing domestic violence charges.

ESPN Deportes reported Monday that Aybar, 24, has been held without bail since Thursday after he allegedly assaulted his wife. Jesus Fernandez Velez, the prosecutor handling the case in the Dominican, told ESPN's Spanish-language site that Aybar could face "at least three more months in jail" if convicted.

Aybar may have a hearing today to determine the status of the charges. The player's attorneys reportedly told the prosecutor they expect Aybar's wife to drop the complaint, but that has not yet occurred.

A Rays spokesman said Monday night the team didn't have enough information to comment on the case. Aybar's agent, Luis Valdez, did not return a phone message.

The Rays acquired Aybar and minor-league infielder Chase Fontaine from Atlanta on Jan. 17 for left-hander Jeff Ridgway. Aybar is expected to fill a super-utility role while also serving as a fallback option at third base if Evan Longoria isn't ready.

The acquisition carried an element of risk after Aybar ran afoul of the Braves last season. He left the team without explanation in April and his agent told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Aybar was seeking treatment for substance-abuse problems. The infielder ended up spending three months in rehab.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman acknowledged the Rays' gamble when the team acquired Aybar.

"We did a lot of due diligence into his problems from last year," Friedman said. "While we recognize it's a risk, obviously we felt like it was a risk worth taking. We've seen him play a lot in the Dominican and we've talked to a lot of people who have been affiliated with him throughout his career and are around him now and we feel like the upside is definitely worth it."

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