Puig Has 'No Comment' On Reports Detailing His Escape From Cuba

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has no comment on recent reports detailing his escape from Cuba in 2012.

"I'm aware of the recent articles and news accounts," Adam Katz, Puig's agent, said on the player's behalf. "I understand that people are curious and have questions, but I will have no comment on this subject. I'm represented on this matter, and I'm only focused on being a productive teammate and helping the Dodgers win games."

Los Angeles Magazine's Jesse Katz reported that Miami resident and air conditioning repairman/recycler Raul Pacheco agreed to pay smugglers $250,000 upon Puig's safe arrival in Mexico with the belief that Puig would pay Pacheco 20 percent of his earnings.

Katz said the smugglers never received their money, and they applied a "non-payment" penalty of $15,000 to $20,000 per day.

The penalty period, which is said to have lasted 29 days, resulted in Puig being held captive in a Mexican hotel.

Puig would owe quite a sum to the parties involved in his defection from Cuba, Katz said.

Puig has already paid $1.3 million to the smugglers, according to court documents.

ESPN The Magazine claims the Cuban phenom was threatened at the Dodgers' team hotel by the smugglers, who demanded money they felt they were still owed.

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