Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez was denied bail Wednesday during his arraignment on charges he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2017.
The lefty pitcher smiled as he was returned to the Westmoreland County Prison following the hearing, and told reporters “I don’t want to say anything,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Venezuela-born Vazquez, 28, was arrested last week and charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and indecent assault of a person younger than 16.
The ballplayer — whose nickname is “Nightmare” — admitted to police that he had “sexual intercourse inside of his vehicle,” with a 13-year-old in August 2017 in Scottsdale, Pennsylvania, according to a criminal complaint.
He described the encounter as “sex but not really” because it was cut short, according to the complaint.
The two also allegedly exchanged nude photos and the victim sent him videos in which she performed sex acts on herself, according to court papers.
The filing also alleges that the MLB All-Star sent the girl, now 15, an X-rated text message as recently as July, saying he wanted to “finish” the deed.
The girl’s mother discovered the sexts after the family moved to Florida, prompting authorities there to open an investigation in early August and discover the Pennsylvania incident.
Vasquez, who has been placed on leave from the Pirates, faces charges of solicitation of a child and providing obscene material to minors out of Florida for allegedly sending the girl a video of himself in a sex act.
Pennsylvania will get the first crack at prosecuting Vazquez before he’s extradited to the Sunshine State.
He is due back in Westmoreland County court Oct. 9.