Indians prospects charged in brawl

AKRON, Ohio -- Police charged three Cleveland Indians Minor Leaguers, one of them the son of Houston Astros manager Brad Mills, after a fight at an Ohio nightclub earlier this month left a man with rib and lung injuries.

Akron Aeros first baseman Beau Mills, Aeros outfielder Jerad Head and Columbus Clippers pitcher Josh Tomlin were charged with felonious assault in a criminal complaint Tuesday. The charges stem from a June 3 fight at Whiskey Dick's in Akron.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro told MLB.com the team will not be commenting on the arrests.

The injured man, Theodore Zeman III, told police that a group of ballplayers was taunting him while he was at the bar, then assaulted him after he raised his hand in a gesture to stop them, according to a police report. Zeman, 25, of Seven Hills, spent at least two days in the hospital after sustaining a punctured lung and rib fractures in the brawl, Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

Mills, 23, of Visalia, Calif., and Head, 27, of Topeka, Kan., pleaded not guilty in Akron Municipal Court on Thursday. Tomlin was in court Friday but didn't enter a plea and is due back in court Monday, Edwards said.

Messages for the players were sent by The Associated Press to the teams Friday morning.

Brad Mills, asked about his son's arrest Friday before his team played in Texas, said he had been in contact with him.

"There's really nothing to say," Mills said. "Over time, we'll see how things come out."