Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion is reportedly being sued for over $11.5 million by a woman who says he knowingly gave her at least two sexually transmitted infections.
On Monday, celebrity website TMZ Sports reported the unidentified woman filed the claim after she allegedly contracted “multiple” STIs after having unprotected sex with the Blue Jays designated hitter while on a weekend getaway to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic last February.
In a statement released to Rogers-owned Sportsnet, Encarnacion’s agent called the lawsuit “frivolous” and said the baseball star plans a counter lawsuit.
“(Encarnacion) will take every legal measure to defend himself against this frivolous claim, and will bring appropriate claims in the appropriate forums against all of the individuals seeking to exploit his financial position,” Paul Kinzer said in the statement. “This is an unacceptable attack on his exceptional character and stellar reputation within the baseball community as a man who carries himself with the highest level of integrity.”
Kinzer did not return a request for comment.
The accuser also admitted to sleeping with another Blue Jays player in late 2015, and was tested for STIs and the results were negative, TMZ reported the lawsuit as saying.
“Mr. Encarnacion will not be commenting on this matter,” his agent said in the statement. “He will not allow this to distract from his continued focus of contributing to his team’s success. We kindly ask that his privacy be respected.”
According to TMZ, the woman alleges in the lawsuit that Encarnacion knew he had STIs and stopped contacting her.
The Blue Jays wouldn’t comment on the lawsuit and referred Global News to the Sportsnet statement.
“The Blue Jays will continue to keep their focus on the game of baseball,” said Jay Stenhouse, VP of communications, in an email to Global News.
The woman is suing for battery and misrepresentation of facts.
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