Indians confirm Kearns DUI arrest

GOODYEAR, Ariz., March 1 (UPI) -- Cleveland Indians outfielder Austin Kearns was arrested last month for allegedly driving under the influence, the American League club confirmed Tuesday.

The Indians said in a statement they knew about the situation and "are in the process of gathering facts and discussing the matter with him."

"The Indians organization takes these issues very seriously and [are] disappointed by the circumstances," the team said. "We will handle the matter internally and will not have any further comment until we have complete information about the incident and the legal process has run its course."

The Jessamine Journal in Kentucky, where Kearns is from, reported Monday the player was arrested in Jessamine County Feb. 12.

Kearns was signed to a one-year contract in the off-season. Last season he spent four months with the Indians before being dealt to the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old outfielder batted .263 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI in 120 combined games with the two teams.

He is a career .257 hitter with 115 homers and 471 RBI in 962 career games with Cincinnati, Washington, Cleveland and the Yankees.