ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 15 (UPI) -- With starting shortstop Rey Ordonez on the disabled list, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed Julio Lugo on Thursday.
Lugo was released by the Houston Astros on Tuesday. He had cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
A Gold Glove winner in the National League, Ordonez was off to a hot start at the plate in his first American League season, batting .316 with three home runs and 22 RBI. But he is on the disabled list with a bad knee and may miss a month.
Lugo was arrested after an April 30 game against the Atlanta Braves for allegedly assaulting his wife in the parking lot of Minute Maid Park. He was designated for assignment the next day, leaving the team 10 days to release, trade or assign him.
The alleged incident occurred before the game against Atlanta. According to a police report, Lugo is accused by his wife of striking her in the car on the way to the park and slamming her head into the vehicle in the parking lot.
Lugo was charged with a misdemeanor charge of family violence-contact and released on $50,000 bond.
Mabely Lugo was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released.
