Marlins’ Castro Arrested on Rape Charge

Florida Marlin backup catcher Ramon Castro was arrested and jailed on a charge of rape Thursday at Pittsburgh after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in his hotel room, officials said.

Castro, 27, was taken to the Allegheny County Jail late Thursday. He also was being held on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and unlawful restraint.

Pittsburgh police Lt. Kevin Kraus said a 28-year-old woman, who was not identified by authorities, went to a hospital early Thursday morning and reported she had been raped a couple hours earlier. A hospital worker called police.

The woman was treated and released for what Kraus described as minor injuries.

Kraus said Castro met the woman at a bar in Pittsburgh’s Strip District and went with him to the nearby Westin Convention Center Hotel downtown, where Castro was staying during the Marlins’ three-game series against the Pirates.

Another couple went with the woman and Castro back to the hotel, police said.

According to Kraus, the woman alleged the assault took place in Castro’s room after the other couple left.

Kraus said police intend to conduct additional interviews but declined to say with whom.

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David Wells’ poor pitching has jeopardized his place in the New York Yankee rotation.

A day after pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre criticized Wells for not throwing enough between starts, Yankee Manager Joe Torre refused to say whether the 40-year-old left-hander would take his next turn, on Monday at Toronto.

“We’re going to do some more talking tomorrow,” Torre said.

The Yankees recalled right-hander Jeff Weaver, sent to the minor leagues just two days earlier. Weaver’s stay had been scheduled to last until Monday, but a roster spot opened when outfielder David Dellucci sprained his left ankle and went on the disabled list.

Wells said before Thursday’s game that he’s thrown more bullpen sessions than in previous years, and wouldn’t publicly respond to Stottlemyre.

“When I was here in 1998, I didn’t throw very many bullpens,” Wells said. “I haven’t thrown bullpens for a long time. I’m not going to elaborate on it any more, because then it turns into a war of words.”

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Utility infielder Lou Merloni returned to the Boston Red Sox in a trade that sent minor league pitcher Rene Miniel to the San Diego Padres. Merloni, who moved back and forth between Boston and triple-A Pawtucket the last five seasons, had been claimed on waivers by the Padres on March 25.

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Josh Barfield, a second baseman with the Lake Elsinore Storm, was named the California League’s most valuable player. Barfield is hitting .342 with 15 home runs and 120 RBIs. Barfield, 20, is the son of former major leaguer Jesse Barfield.