Astros' Pence arrested for DUI
Pence, who was playing for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League, was removed from the Solar Sox roster and sent home following the arrest.
According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, Pence was arrested at 3:32 a.m. MT on Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., while driving erratically, according to court records. He was booked and released with a promise to appear at his arraignment scheduled for Wednesday.
He was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,500 fine, five years probation and a minimum of 10 days in jail, nine of which can be suspended if an alcohol program is taken, the Chronicle reported.
Pence met with assistant general manager Ricky Bennett on Thursday in Houston and will speak with Purpura on Friday. The staff has discussed disciplinary options, but Purpura declined to elaborate on what measures the Astros will take with Pence.
Pence will also be evaluated under the club's employee-assistance program.
"It's designed as a confidential program where players and staff can participate in a variety of issues," Purpura said. "Family problems, marital problems, alcohol, drugs -- it covers all areas."
DUI charges linked to professional athletes often spark an angry public outcry, and Purpura is aware of the sensitivity of this particular offense and the scrutiny Pence will face in the immediate future.
"I can't fault anyone for feeling that way," Purpura said. "You're putting other people at risk by doing things like that, as well as yourself. I can't fault people for that. That's a consequence [Pence will] have to live with."
Pence, 23, was the club's No. 1 draft pick in 2004 and is considered to be the Astros' top prospect. He hit .283 with 28 homers and 95 RBIs for Double-A Corpus Christi in '06, and he was hitting .339 with three homers and 11 RBIs through 15 games for the Solar Sox at the time of his arrest.
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com