MIAMI (AP) — A former major leaguer who broke Japan’s single-season home run record last year has been arrested in Florida on domestic violence charges.
Court records show Wladimir Balentien is facing a felony false imprisonment charge and a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a weekend confrontation at his wife’s Miami-area house. An attorney for Balentien’s wife said Monday that the couple is going through a divorce.
Authorities say Balentien broke into the house. Court records did not list an attorney for Balentien. A bond hearing was scheduled Monday in Miami-Dade County court.
The Curacao-born Balentien is an outfielder with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows who hit 60 homers last year, breaking Saraharu Oh’s longstanding record of 55. Balentien previously played in the U.S. for the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.
