BOSTON -- Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers was arrested Friday and charged with hitting his wife in the face on a street not far from Fenway Park.
Myers, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Red Sox, pleaded not guilty to assault charges at his arraignment Friday in Boston Municipal Court, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. Myers' next court date is Aug. 4.
Myers was arguing with his wife shortly after midnight at the corner of Boylston and Dalton streets, Procopio said. The woman and two witnesses told police the 25-year-old pitcher hit her. One witness told investigators Myers also pulled her hair.
"The evidence at this point leads us to believe the victim was struck in the left side of her face," Procopio said. He added that investigators are trying to determine if Myers hit her with a fist or open hand and whether he hit her more than once.
Police responded to a 911 call and found Myers' wife crying with a swollen face, Procopio said. Officers found Myers nearby and arrested him. Myers was booked by Boston police and his wife posted his $200 bail. Procopio did not know how long Myers spent in jail.
Procopio said he would not identify Myers' wife because she is a domestic violence victim. A player biography on Major League Baseball's website says Myers married Kim Wickman in September 2002 and the couple has a 3-year-old daughter.
Phillies spokesman Larry Shenk said that the club wouldn't comment on the arrest or speculate about any potential team discipline for Myers until the matter has been resolved in court.
"Myers will pitch, as scheduled, (Saturday) against Boston," the team said in a statement.
As part of his bail conditions, Myers must not initiate contact with his wife and can see her only if she wants to see him. The judge also ruled that if Myers is arrested again while out on bail he can be jailed for up to two months.
Myers, 6-feet-4 and 240 pounds, made his debut with the Phillies in July 2002. This season, he is 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA.
_Kitch 
