updated 12:51 a.m. ET Aug. 20, 2008

TOKYO - Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, a police official said.

Irabu, 39, became angered after his credit card was rejected. He then allegedly pushed the bartender against the wall, pulled his hair and smashed at least nine liquor bottles at a bar in Osaka, western Japan, a police official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

The bartender sustained no injuries. Irabu paid the bill with another credit card.

The police official said Irabu admitted the assault.

Irabu started his career with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League and joined the New York Yankees in 1997 on a four-year, $12.8 million contract.

He spent six seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers before signing with Japan’s Hanshin Tigers in 2003. Irabu had a career major league record of 34-35 with a 5.15 ERA.

He retired in 2005 and currently lives in California.

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