Marcus Giles pleads guilty to battery

Former big league second baseman Marcus Giles has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for assaulting his wife last fall.

Giles was placed on three years probation by Judge Patricia Cookson and ordered to undergo a year of counseling.

Giles' attorney, James Matthew Brown, said his client has been in anger management counseling for four months.

The judge also issued a limited protective order against Giles, meaning he can have contact with his wife but cannot annoy or abuse her, Deputy District Attorney Claudia Grasso said.

Giles spent six seasons with the Atlanta Braves before joining his older brother, Brian, with the Padres in 2007. Marcus Giles was released after that season and hasn't played in the majors since.