M’s reliever arrested

NEW YORK – Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Julio Mateo was arrested Saturday following a dispute at a Manhattan hotel that left his female companion needing five stitches to her mouth, police said.

Police initially identified the woman as Mateo’s wife, but later said it was unclear whether that was true.

The 6-foot, 220-pound reliever was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault and was awaiting arraignment, police said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police said, shortly after the Mariners defeated the New York Yankees 15-11 in a game where Mateo did not pitch.

The 29-year-old Mateo voluntarily turned himself in at a Manhattan police station early Saturday evening.

After Seattle’s 8-1 loss, Mateo was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma. He was 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in nine games this season.

“It has nothing to do with what has gone on,” Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said.