DALLAS _ Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress was arrested overnight in Dallas County on accusations of driving drunk, according to jail records.
He was booked into the Dallas County Jail at 5:13 a.m. Friday, according to jail records. His bail amount was set at $500.
Jeffress, a 28-year-old reliever from Virginia, was traded to the Rangers from the Milwaukee Brewers last month.
As a minor leaguer in 2007, he was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for marijuana. He received a 100-game suspension in 2009 for testing positive again.
Since joining Texas this year, he's pitched nine innings, giving up four runs.
The Rangers front office released a statement Friday morning, according to media reports:
"The Texas Rangers are aware of the situation involving Jeremy Jeffress that took place early this morning. At this time, we are in the process of gathering information and have no further comment."
The Rangers have a recent history of giving players second chances, including fellow reliever Matt Bush and outfielder Josh Hamilton.
Bush, a former No. 1 draft pick, was released from prison in Florida on Oct. 30 after serving more than four years for a third arrest on charges of driving under the influence. The arrest came after he nearly killed a man on a motorcycle.
The oft-injured Hamilton, who was released earlier this week by the Rangers, missed three seasons because of alcohol and drug-addiction issues.
