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Aybar Charges Dropped; Rays Sign Miller, Hinske

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays expect new infielder Willy Aybar to report to spring training - though perhaps not on time - after domestic violence charges against him were dropped Wednesday.

Aybar, 24, had been jailed in the Dominican Republic since last Thursday after being accused of hitting his wife. At a court hearing Wednesday, his wife withdrew the complaint and said she hoped to reconcile with Aybar. The two have been married for seven years and have three children.

In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Aybar apologized generally to his wife, his family, the Rays and his Dominican team, Licey, and pledged to get his life back on track.

"I promise to do all I can to improve my behavior, which I admit that, at times, has not been the best," he told ESPN's Spanish-language site.

Satisfied that the matter had been resolved, the Rays released a statement later Wednesday from spokesman Rick Vaughn. It read:

"While details of this situation remain unclear, we are pleased that it has been resolved. We are encouraged that Willy has expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions. The Rays are committed to providing a support system for him and his family when they arrive in St. Petersburg for spring training."

When that will occur remains to be seen. Position players are due to report to camp Feb. 19, but it's common for Dominican players to be held up by visa issues. Aybar's wait could be extended because he was traded to the Rays after applying for a visa while a member of the Braves organization.

In other news Wednesday, the Rays brought two more veterans into the fold.

They'll finally have a left-hander in the bullpen in Trever Miller, who was the most recent pitcher to hold down that job for the Rays before he departed for Houston following the 2005 season. And they'll have an alternative to Aybar at third base and elsewhere in Eric Hinske, who agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp.

The 34-year-old Miller, a Land O' Lakes resident, worked out at the Naimoli Complex Wednesday morning before his one-year contract with a team option for 2009 became official.

"It's going to be good for everyone as long as I do my job on the field, and I plan to do it," said Miller. "I've been training all year to do that and I don't see any reason why that won't happen."

Miller will be paid $1.6 million this season and the Rays can retain him for $2 million next year or pay him a $400,000 buyout. He spent the last two years with the Astros, compiling a 4.86 ERA in 76 relief appearances in 2007.

He held left-handed hitters to a .209 average and figures to get plenty of chances to maintain that success this season.

Hinske, 30, was a reserve for the Red Sox last season, hitting.204 in 84 games while filling in at first base, right field and left field. He originally came to the majors as a third baseman, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award with the Blue Jays in 2002.

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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