Neagle hasn't pitched in more than a year

Associated Press

Updated: December 3, 2004, 11:14 PM ET

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Colorado Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle was cited Friday on a charge of soliciting a prostitute after a woman in his car said he paid her $40 for oral sex, police said.

Neagle, who has not pitched in more than a year because of injuries, was pulled over at about 1:30 a.m. in this west Denver suburb after an officer saw his white Cadillac Escalade speeding, police spokesman Steve Davis said.


	Neagle

After the officer asked Neagle why his belt was unbuckled, the woman said Neagle had paid her for sex, Davis said.

No phone numbers were available for Neagle or his agent, Barry Meister.

Rockies President Keli McGregor issued a statement calling the allegation "extremely serious" and said the team was still gathering information.

Davis said the woman, Jill Russell, 40, of Denver was issued a citation on a charge of prostitution. Her phone number wasn't available.

Neither Neagle nor Russell was taken into custody because the charges were minor misdemeanors, Davis said.

Neagle was issued a court for summons for Jan. 27 and Russell for Jan. 13.

Neagle, 36, last pitched on July 20, 2003. In the past 14 months, he has undergone elbow ligament surgery and elective shoulder surgery.

Neagle signed a five-year, $51.5 million contract with the Rockies in 2000 that includes a team option for 2006. He is set to make $10 million next year, with a $9 million buyout.

He is married and has three children.

In 2003, Neagle pleaded guilty to driving while impaired after his Hummer struck another vehicle.