Twins' Dominican slugger faces probe in kidnapping case

Posted June 25, 2020 7:00 am

By MARTIN JOSÃ ADAMES ALCÃNTARA

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano prepares to take batting practice before Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the New York Yankees, in New York. Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel SanÃ³ told a Dominican Republic newspaper he's being blackmailed, having been accused of kidnapping and assault. The Twins said Thursday, June 18, 2020, they're aware of the report in El Nuevo Diario and still trying to gathering more information about the situation surrounding SanÃ³, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in January and will move to first base if and when the 2020 season begins. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) The Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Authorities in the Dominican Republic are opening an investigation into allegations Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel SanÃ³ participated in the kidnapping and assault of a man, prosecutors said Thursday. The Twins, however, said they were told SanÃ³ was cleared of the accusations.

SanÃ³, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Twins in January, denies the allegations and has said he is being blackmailed.

The player appeared Thursday at a hearing in the Prosecutor's Office in his hometown of San Pedro de MacorÃs. The hearing was called so the sides could present their versions of events and seek a conciliation, but none was reached.

Faced with a failure to reconcile, the Dominican justice system will open an investigation into the case, according to the prosecutor's office. No charges have been filed against SanÃ³.

'œMy lawyers take care of that. I don't know. They are what the ones who know, I don't know about this,'ť SanÃ³ told The Associated Press when asked about what awaits him in the case.

The Twins executive vice president for baseball operations, Derek Falvey, said the organization was informed Thursday morning that SanÃ³ was cleared of the accusations by Dominican authorities and would not face any criminal charges.

Fred Guerrero, the team's international scouting director who has known SanÃ³ since he was a youth, was the organization's primary point of contact for the Twins with SanÃ³. The 27-year-old first baseman was adamant he'd done no wrong.

'œWe took what Miguel said at his word and then wanted to wait and see what else transpired, and ultimately today it matched what he had been telling us, what we expected to happen here,'ť Falvey said.

It was not immediately possible to explain the apparent discrepancy.

Lawyers for Raudy Omar SÃ¡nchez De La Cruz say they have evidence and testimony that SanÃ³ and three of his friends kidnapped, beat and threatened to hang SÃ¡nchez De La Cruz. They say the young man suffered moral and physical damages worth $170,000.

SanÃ³ has alleged that SÃ¡nchez de la Cruz is involved in a case of sexual abuse against a young relative of his. Charges have not been presented into this allegation.

The Twins are expecting SanÃ³ to travel to Minnesota by the end of the week to join the team for training, in advance of the season, which is set to start in late July.

SanÃ³, who was an All-Star in 2017, is expected to play first base in the 2020 season.

Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano, right, arrives to the Prosecutor's Office accompanied by his lawyer, in his hometown San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 25, 2020. Authorities in the Dominican Republic have opened an investigation into allegations the first baseman participated in the kidnapping and beating of a man in his homeland. Sano, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Twins in January, denies the allegation and has said he's being blackmailed. (AP Photo/Martin Adames) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2020 file photo, Miguel Sano of the Minnesota Twins poses for a photo in Fort Myers, Fl. Authorities in the Dominican Republic opened an investigation on Thursday, June 25, 2020, into allegations the first baseman participated in the kidnapping and beating of a man in his homeland. Sano, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Twins in January, denies the allegation and has said he's being blackmailed. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) The Associated Press

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