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Detroit Tigers Minor League Pitcher Arraigned On Sex Assault Charges

DETROIT (CBS Detroit/AP) - Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher Evan Reed has been arraigned on two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the alleged assault of a woman at a downtown Detroit hotel.

A not-guilty plea was entered for Reed, who turned himself in Thursday morning and appeared in court via video.

The 28-year-old right-hander —who currently plays for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' Triple-A club —  was with the Tigers on the eve of opening day back in March — when the alleged incident took place.

Prosecutors say the 45-year-old woman was assaulted in a Motor City Casino hotel room after meeting Reed at  Royal Oak bar. The woman says she had drinks with Reed before they left the bar, and afterwards she felt "odd."  The woman claims Reed sexually assaulted her in the hotel room the next morning before instructing her to leave.

Reed, who spoke live at a news conference Thursday afternoon, said he had consensual sex with the woman, and there was no assault.

"There was just never force, there was never incapacitation; there was never a level of being too drunk, a level of drug use," Reed said.

"I'm just out having fun, and now my whole career, my whole life is in jeopardy."

Reed received a $15,000 bond. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Reed was 0-1 with a 4.88 ERA in 27 games for Detroit before being sent to Toledo in June.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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