Torii Hunter takes leave after son’s arrest in Texas

Torii Hunter takes leave after son’s arrest in Texas

Torii Hunter has left the Angels because of the arrest of his teenage son. (Jason Miller /Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter is on indefinite leave from the team after the arrest of his teenage son Monday.

Hunter, 36, was placed on the restricted list for personal reasons after he left to join his 17-year-old son, Darius McClinton-Hunter, who was one of two adults arrested after an investigation of sexual assault of a child in Prosper, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Three juveniles also were arrested. McClinton-Hunter is free on $15,000 bond.

“This is very tough for a father,” Hunter tweeted Monday night. “Thanks for ur prayers and support. Be Blessed everyone!”

Todd Shapiro, Hunter’s lawyer, told reporters Monday: “They're devastated. Everybody's very upset. He's got a very bright future ... still does. He's a very good student, a very good athlete.”

It is unclear when Hunter, in a 2-for-30 slump and hitting .256, would rejoin the Angels. “It's a personal issue,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We'll go day to day with it and just see where it is.”

McClinton-Hunter has drawn attention from major colleges for his prowess as a wide receiver. Among the schools recruiting him reportedly are Arkansas, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, SMU, Texas AM and Texas Tech.

Prosper police say they expect more charges to be filed.

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