Astros' Lugo off the team after arrest

Recommended Video:

Houston Astros shortstop Julio Lugo is no longer a member of the team after his arrest Wednesday night after the game, eight hours after his wife reported he punched her in the mouth and banged her head against a car window.

"Julio Lugo will be removed from our team and we will have a ten-day period to dispose of his contract," General Manager Gerry Hunsicker said today.

Houston police officials said the eight-hour lapse was necessary for a thorough investigation and proper arrest. The player, 28, was arrested at Minute Maid Park around 10:45 p.m. -- after the Astros lost to the Atlanta Braves 11-1 -- for assault-family violence, a Class A misdemeanor. He was released from the city jail around 10 a.m. today after posting bond, which was set at $50,000.

Police officials said Lugo was not immediately arrested because he was not with his wife when she stopped a few blocks away from the ballpark and called police around 3 p.m. Because of due process concerns, police consulted the Harris County District Attorney's office about charges and obtained an arrest warrant before taking Lugo into custody.

It is not unusual for a family violence investigation to take eight hours before it leads to an arrest, police officials insisted.

The player's wife, Mabely Lugo, 25, told police she and her husband had been having marital problems. She said as they argued while driving in the 3800 block of the Eastex Freeway, he punched her in the lip with his fist, causing the back of her head to hit the car window, police reports show.

After dropping her husband off at the ballpark around 2:45 p.m., Mabely Lugo drove to the 1500 block of Preston near LaBranch and called police. When officers arrived, they found she was crying and spoke little English, so they called a Spanish-speaking officer to the scene to help translate.

Police noticed a slight lump on her forehead, reddish-colored bruising to her face and blood on her lip, a report states. She was taken by ambulance to Christus St. Joseph Hospital, where she was treated and released.

In most family violence cases, a protective order is issued preventing contact between the victim and defendant.

Lugo has been designated for assignment by the Astros, which means, in essence, he's off the team. His replacement will be infielder Dave Matranga, whose contract was purchased from Class AAA New Orleans, according to Astros sources.