APLINCOLN, Neb. - New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain apologized for "an error in judgment'' on Sunday.
He was arrested early Saturday in Nebraska on suspicion of driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation,'' Chamberlain said in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season.''
Nebraska State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S. 77 south of his hometown of Lincoln.
Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey will get paperwork on the case Monday and decide what, if any, charges will be filed, Collins said.
Chamberlain was driving a 2006 BMW 75i with Nebraska dealer plates when the Patrol stopped him at about 1 a.m., Collins said. The trooper smelled alcohol in the vehicle and saw an open container of alcohol on the front passenger seat, she said.
Chamberlain was taken to the Cornhusker Place Detox in Lincoln, which Collins said is the normal protocol.
Collins said she didn't know Chamberlain's blood-alcohol content.
A message left for Chamberlain at his family's home in Lincoln was not immediately returned.
Chamberlain, who grew up in Lincoln and starred for the University of Nebraska, was 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 42 appearances for the Yankees this year.
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