Braves' Reyes restricted after rape charge

Braves shortstop Elmer Reyes was placed on the restricted list Wednesday after being arrested on kidnapping and rape charges last weekend.

The alleged incident took place in Columbus, Ohio, where Triple-A Gwinnett was playing a four-game series against the Clippers to complete a seven-day road trip.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Braves said: "We were very concerned to learn of the arrest of Elmer Reyes in Franklin County on Saturday (May 23) morning. We will withhold further comment until we learn additional details and have all of the facts."

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Wednesday that Reyes met two women at bar after Friday's game. Citing reports filed in Franklin County Municipal Court, the Columbus Dispatch reported Reyes paid for a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Columbus and allegedly forced sexual intercourse on one of the women.

Following an arraignment hearing Tuesday, Reyes, 24, was released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond.

Reyes' attorney, Kort Gatterdam, could not be reached by phone Wednesday night. He reportedly told the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "We adamantly deny the charges against Mr. Reyes. We look forward to the opportunity to present his side of the story in court."

Reyes is scheduled to return to Columbus for a June 2 court appearance, according to MLB.com. The Braves said Reyes, signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on May 19, 2009, will be restricted from playing during the investigation.

A native of Nicaragua, Reyes is in his seventh year in the Minors. The shortstop is a career .264 hitter with 24 homers and 238 RBIs in 590 games. In 2014, he was a midseason Southern League All-Star with Double-A Mississippi.

In 30 appearances for Gwinnett this season, Reyes hit .216/.258/.279 with one homer and 13 RBIs in 111 at-bats. He last played Friday night, going 1-for-4 with an RBI.