Right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino, a huge disappointment during the season, was arrested on a drunken-driving charge early on the morning of Oct. 27 in Tampa.
Vizcaino, 34, who lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., was stopped at 1:31 a.m., allegedly going 71 mph in a 45-mph zone in his red 2009 Cadillac CTS, and he was charged with driving under the influence. According to a criminal arrest affidavit, Vizcaino's breath smelled of alcohol, his eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and he told an officer he had two alcoholic drinks. A breath test showed Vizcaino's blood-alcohol level was 0.084 and 0.087. In Florida, a driver is presumed impaired with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.
"Our organization was extremely disappointed to learn of the arrest of Luis Vizcaino for allegedly driving under the influence," the Rockies said in a statement. "We are continuing to monitor the situation and have been in contact with Luis and his representatives. We understand that they are working through the issues with local authorities and that Luis clearly understands the seriousness of the situation."
The Rockies signed Vizcaino to a two-year, $7.5 million contract after the 2007 season, expecting he would be a dependable setup man capable of working in the eighth inning.
Instead, Vizcaino went 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 43 games. While he held right-handed hitters to a .170 average, Vizcaino was highly ineffective against left-handers, who batted .372 against Vizcaino, hitting eight homers in 86 at-bats.
Vizcaino pitched in two of the Rockies' first three games before going on the disabled list April 4 with a strained right shoulder. He was reinstated June 7 after missing 58 games. Just how far Vizcaino fell in the bullpen pecking order is evident from the fact he made just 13 of his 30 appearances in games the Rockies won.
