Padres’ Hoyt Begins His 45-Day Jail Term Today

Pitcher LaMarr Hoyt of the Padres is scheduled to begin a 45-day prison sentence at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida this morning.

Hoyt was sentenced last month after pleading guilty to possession of Valium tablets and another illegal painkiller.

Eglin is located near Pensacola, not far from Hoyt’s hometown of Columbia, S.C. It is a “camp-like facility,” according to Howard Frank, Hoyt’s attorney.

“I’ve not been there, but a lot of camp facilities are similar in that they are minimum-security facilities where few inmates are in a cell,” Frank said Sunday. “But it’s a structured environment. He (Hoyt) won’t be going out to the ballpark or the movie theater or to home.”

Peter Ueberroth, the commissioner of baseball, is expected to decide soon about Hoyt’s future in the game. He could fine Hoyt, suspend him or both.

Hoyt has already spent two days in jail (immediately after he was arrested), so his sentence is technically for 43 days. Frank said the sentence may be shortened for good behavior. If Ueberroth doesn’t suspend Hoyt and the Padres want him back, Hoyt could join the other pitchers and catchers for the first day of spring training Feb. 23.

Hoyt was unavailable for comment Sunday night.