Tigers trade troubled pitcher Colon to Royals
7/13/2007The Detroit Tigers traded right-handed pitcher Roman Colon to the Kansas City Royals today for a player to be named on or before October 15, 2007.
Colon, who was on a major-league rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Erie, Pa., in the Eastern League, will report to the Royals' Double-A affiliate, Wichita in the Texas League.
On Tuesday Colon pleaded not guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to one count of felonious assault for an incident last month in which he punched a Mud Hens player in the team's clubhouse at Fifth Third Field.
Colon was arrested June 30 in Erie, and posted a $50,000 bond three days later.
Colon's attorney, Spiros Cocoves, said his client was released on bond soon after his appearance in court Tuesday. Cocoves said Colon could continue to play baseball out of state, and that his bond only requires that he return to court for an Aug. 20 hearing.
Colon is accused of punching pitcher Jason Karnuth, who apparently was trying to break up an argument on June 12 between Colon and other players in the clubhouse. The Tigers suspended Colon for seven games for the incident.
The 27-year-old Colon has spent the entire season on the Detroit disabled list as he recovered from neck surgery. In five outings with Erie during his injury rehab assignment Colon posted a 2-0 record and 5.91 ERA. He also appeared in five games for the Mud Hens, going 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA.
In 32 games during his career with the Tigers, Colon compiled a 3-1 record and 5.37 ERA.