Alfredo Simon
From BR Bullpen
Alfredo Simon Cabrera
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 230 lb.
- Debut September 6, 2008
[edit] Biographical Information
Alfredo Simon made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 only a couple of weeks after losing the last game of the Mexican League finals.
In the first days of 2011, it was reported that Simon was the main suspect in a fatal shooting that took place in the resort town of Luperón, Puerto Plata on December 31, 2010, leaving a 25-year-old man dead and his 17-year-old brother injured. Simon stated through Felipe Alou Jr., the Orioles' representative in the Dominican Republic, that he had nothing to do with the shooting, but he went into hiding in his hometown of Santiago. On January 3rd, accompanied by teammate Julio Lugo, he surrendered to police in the provincial capital of Puerto Plata, explaining that he had fired celebratory shots into the air to mark the new year, and that the victim's death was accidental. His lawyer later added that Simon was only one of a number of people who fired shots that evening, and that the death occured 45 minutes after he had left the scene, from a bullet to the chest, not from an impact wound from a bullet fired into the air. He described the victim as a cousin and close friend of Simon. The pitcher was detained until ballistic tests could be performed, facing up to two years in jail for involuntary manslaughter.
On February 1st, a judge denied him bail, potentially forcing him to remain in jail for a year while investigations continued. On February 18, the Orioles placed his name on the restricted list, clearing space on their roster for Vladimir Guerrero. However, there was some good news for the first time since the incident, as persons close to the investigation indicated Simon would likely be released within 10 days, as authorities were now focusing their attention on another suspect. He was indeed released on March 3rd, and was able to obtain a visa to enter the United States as no accusations had yet been laid. The Orioles worked out a deal with Major League Baseball to allow Simon to work out in the minors while still on the restricted list, and he made his first rehabilitation start with the Bowie BaySox of the Eastern League on May 5, giving up 4 runs in 5 innings. Simon made it back to the major leagues on May 24th, earning a win in his return with a perfect inning in relief against the Kansas City Royals. On June 15th, though, the Orioles placed him on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring in what was described as a precautionary move in response to discomfort. When he came back, the Orioles converted him to a starter, in an attempt to bolster a flagging rotation. He did well and earned his first win in his new role in his second start on July 16, when he gave up only two runs in 7 innings against the Cleveland Indians in a 6-5 Orioles win. He finsihed the season with a 4-9 record and a 4.90 ERA in 23 games, including 16 starts. On November 8th, he was cleared of all charges related to the shooting incident after witnesses twice failed to appear at his hearing.
