Prominent baseball trainer arrested on smuggling charge

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A prominent baseball trainer who helped represent Yoenis Cespedes has been arrested in the Dominican Republic on human smuggling charges for allegedly helping Cuban players illegally enter the country.

Dominican police say Edgar Mercedes is one of seven men detained in the case. A police statement says the four Dominicans and three Cubans transported potential players from Cuba in hopes of gaining major league contracts. All seven were appearing before a judge Friday.

Cespedes, who is not a registered baseball agent, worked with Yoenis Cespedes after he defected. Cespedes signed a $36 million, four-year contract with Oakland.

Attorney Guillermo Estrella says Mercedes is not involved with human smuggling or the other detained men.

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