Although no formal charges have been filed at the time of this post, Detroit Tigers reliever Evan Reed is under investigation by the Detroit Police Department for accusations made by a woman that she was sexually assaulted by Reed in a Motor City Casino hotel room during the early-morning hours of Opening Day.
DPD sources told The Detroit News the woman met Reed, 28, at a bar in Royal Oak, but did not remember anything until waking up at the Detroit casino hotel. The Detroit Free Press further reported, based on information from a source supposedly close to the investigation, that the woman, 45, told police she feels she was drugged at the Royal Oak bar.
7 Action News in Detroit added that Reed was seen with the woman on the gaming floor of the casino and that video later shows the two entering a hotel room together. Reed was seen on video the next morning leaving the room first. He would later pitch in the Tigers’ Opening Day game.
The Tigers would not comment on when they learned of the complaint, but did issue the following statement:
“The organization is aware of the very serious allegation that has been made against pitcher Evan Reed,” Tigers officials said in a statement released Monday night. “This allegation is concerning and we are aware of an ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate for the ballclub to comment further at this time.”
Reed is currently with the Tigers on their six-game road trip out West. Reed’s attorney said he is “very confident” Reed will be completely cleared of any wrongdoing once the investigation is complete.
The woman is reportedly being interviewed by police and a full investigation is expected to take up to two weeks.
Reed is a burly righty who was not expected to make the trip back to Detroit with the Tigers, but following a strong spring and an injury to Bruce Rondon, he made the 25-man roster. He has thrown 2 1/3 scoreless innings thus far, pitching as recent as Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.
We’ll have more information on this situation as it develops.
