UPDATED with Martinez statement.
Carlos Martinez is in the news today but the facts about what exactly happened are still being sorted out as of Monday afternoon, after a tweet by reporter Hector Gomez that Martinez was arrested. The Cardinals then issued a statement saying it was their understanding that he was not arrested.
Gomez’ credits on Twitter are listed as MLB Insider. De Bánica. Periodista Deportivo. Sports Journalist. Editor Deportivo Z 101, and Show del Mediodía. IG.
He posted this Tweet: “Carlos Martínez, lanzador de St. Louis Cardinals, es apresado por autoridades dominicanas” and a minute later translated it to: “Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez: Arrested in Dominican Republic.”
He also posted this: “St. Louis Cardinals RHP Carlos Martínez was taken into custody today by the National Dominican Police in Puerto Plata. Martínez had a massive activity in Puerto Plata’s seaside avenue “Malecón” violating all the social distancing protocols and the mandatory use of masks.”
The Cardinals issued a statement Monday afternoon:
Statement: “The St. Louis Cardinals were informed earlier today that Carlos Martínez had participated in a public gathering event this past weekend in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We are currently gathering details from this event, but it is our understanding that Carlos was not arrested nor are there any pending legal charges against him. Certainly, we would not condone anyone from our organization knowingly violating community laws or health regulations.”
Gomez also posted a photo of Martinez on a motorcycle at the event with Dominican singing star Denisse icelle Tejada who is known as “La Perversa.”
A publication called Diario Libre posted:
“El pelotero de Grandes Ligas, Carlos Martínez (el Tsunami) fue apresado este lunes por participar, junto a la cantante urbana Denisse Michelle Tejeda, conocida como “la Perversa”, en una actividad masiva en el malecón de Puerto Plata”
That translates as: “Major League Baseball player Carlos Martínez (the Tsunami) was arrested this Monday for participating, along with urban singer Denisse Michelle Tejeda, known as “La Perversa”, in a massive activity on the Puerto Malecón.”
DominicanToday.com, an English version of Dominican Today Newspaper reported that “La Perversa” was arrested but did not mention Martinez: “Urban singer Denisse Michelle Tejeda, known as ‘La Perversa’, was arrested on Sunday for attending a massive party in Puerto Plata, in which physical distancing protocols were violated. The measure is established to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Carlos Martinez tweeted a statement on Monday night:
