Gift Ngoepe, Dovydas Neverauskas arrested in Toledo

Pirates Prospects reports that Gift Ngoepe and Dovydas Neverauskas were arrested in an apparent bar fight in Toledo over the weekend, along with the Toledo Mud Hens' Warwick Saupold and a fourth man. The Piraets have suspended Ngoepe and Neverauskas have been suspended for the rest of the minor league season.

Ngoepe was charged with assault and two counts of resisting arrest, and he spent Saturday night (actually, Sunday morning) in jail before being released on $250 bond. Neverauskas was charged with misconduct/failure to obey lawful order and two charges of resisting arrest, and he was released shortly thereafter on $100 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in court September 13.

The timing is poor for both players. Ngoepe is currently on the 40-man roster, but he could come off this winter after a bad season at the plate, and I can't see the Pirates making him a September callup now. Neverauskas needs to be added to the 40-man this offseason or the Bucs will risk losing him To minor league free agency. I imagine they'll still add him, but he might have now blown his chance at seeing time in the big leagues this season. Had they both made the big leagues this season, it would have been a great story for them and for baseball, since Ngoepe is from South Africa and Neverauskas from Lithuania. Knowing they were involved in a bar fight in Toledo, though, makes that story less heartwarming.