Major League Baseball

Astros' OF Schafer arrested in Florida

Published Oct. 4, 2011 7:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

Houston Astros' outfielder Jordan Schafer has been arrested in Florida and charged with felony possession of marijuana.

According to an arrest report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office, Schafer was arrested early Tuesday morning in Tampa after a traffic stop and was released on a $2,000 cash bond. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

A police report says that black Land Rover driven by Schafer with its windows open pulled up next to a police car. Police say officers noticed a strong marijuana smell and saw Schafer smoking a marijuana cigarette.

After he was stopped, police say Schafer admitted smoking marijuana and that he had more in the vehicle. A subsequent search turned up less than an ounce in a plastic container and a small amount inside ''three small marijuana peanut butter cups,'' according to the police report.

Felony possession in Florida carries a potential maximum five-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine. Police also seized the Land Rover for forfeiture if Schafer is convicted.

The 25-year-old Schafer was acquired from Atlanta as part of the trade for Michael Bourn in July. He hit .245 with one home run, six RBIs and seven stolen bases in 30 games for Houston after the trade. He appeared in 52 games with a .240 average and 15 stolen bases for the Braves this season.

The Astros declined to comment on Schafer's arrest.

In 2009, the Braves picked the then-22-year-old rookie as their starting center fielder. He won the job even though he had never played above Double-A Mississippi and was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2008 season for a violation of baseball's drug policy.

He was suspended after Major League Baseball's new investigative unit, established at the recommendation of former Sen. George Mitchell, found evidence that Schafer used human growth hormone in violation of the minor league drug program.