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Warwick Saupold pleads no contest to assault charge

According to court documents, Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher Warwick Saupold appeared in Toledo court this morning and entered a plea of no contest on the assault charge he faces from his arrest last month.

The judge hearing the case reserved finding in the case and referred Saupold to an "alternatives" probation program for first-time offenders. Saupold's attorney, Peter Boyer, told ESPN when reached by phone Tuesday afternoon that, as long as he completes an online course before his next scheduled court appearance, slated for Sept. 27, the incident is expected be wiped from his record.

According to a Toledo Municipal Court spokesperson, the case has been "referred to the probation department so they can determine his eligibility for the alternatives program."

Saupold, who hails from Perth, Australia, is allowed to travel to Australia while the case is pending.

The 26-year-old pitcher was arrested after Toledo Police Department officers witnessed him striking a 25-year-old man in the face in an altercation outside of The Bronze Boar bar in downtown Toledo following a Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens game last month.

Two prospects from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization were also involved in the brawl and arrested on assault charges.