Former Angels star faces multiple charges

St. Louis Cardinals officials announced Wednesday they have released former Angels infielder Scott Spiezio after Orange County officials issued a warrant for his arrest. Spiezio faces charges of hit-and-run, driving under the influence of alcohol, assault and battery after an evening of drinking in a Newport Beach bar, authorities said Wednesday.

“We hope Scott will continue to seek appropriate help and wish him the best in baseball, but more importantly in life,” Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said in a news release.

Spiezio, 35, a utility infielder and sometimes outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, is accused of leaving a Newport Beach bar after midnight Dec. 30, getting into his 2004 BMW and then recklessly driving to his Irvine home, according to Orange County prosecutors.

On the way, his car skipped a curb and crashed into a fence, knocking down a pole and blowing out the car’s front tires, prosecutors said.

Spiezio bailed out of the car and ran to his Irvine condo, where he went over to a friend’s home, prosecutors said.

As the friend attempted to help him clean up, Spiezio vomited. When the friend commented on it Spiezio allegedly grew angry and attacked him, prosecutors said.

The ball player has yet to contact Irvine police in response to the charges, Irvine Lt. Rick Handfield said.

“I think it’s safe to say that he has been aware from very beginning of our attempts to get a hold of him,” Handfield said. “We certainly hope he returns to California and surrenders himself on the charges.”

Spiezio was in spring training with the Cardinals Wednesday near Miami, Fla., Cardinals officials said.

Spiezio is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more, hit and run with property damage, aggravated assault, battery and assault. He faces a maximum of two years in prison if he is convicted. A $10,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Spiezio played for the Angels from 2000 to 2003 and played for the Oakland A’s from 1996 to 1999. He played for the Seattle Mariners from 2004 to 2005 and has been with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2006.

Cardinals officials put Spiezio on restriction in 2007 while he underwent treatment for chemical dependency. He returned to the team in September after treatment.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].