Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Wladimir Balentien, freed on bail following his Jan. 13 arrest in Miami on domestic violence charges, will join the team from the first day of spring camp on Feb. 1, club president Tsuyoshi Kinugasa said Saturday.
"His innocence has not been proven yet but we are happy that such a key player will be able to join from the start of the camp," Kinugasa said of Balentien, who pleaded not guilty to the charges and was given permission on Friday to travel to Japan while his case is pending.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judge Dennis J. Murphy ruled that the 29-year-old Balentien, who broke Japan's single-season home run record last year, will be given back his passport and allowed to leave the country on condition that he sign a formal waiver of extradition. The document would fast-track Balentien's extradition should he fail to appear if his case goes to trial.
The state must present formal charges at a Feb. 3 arraignment if it wishes to proceed against Balentien. He is not required to attend the arraignment.
According to Kinugasa, Balentien would only need to return in the event of a trial once the season is already over. However, Balentien will need to return to the United States in May for a divorce agreement with his wife. The couple have been married for about six years.