By John Maffei
June 22, 2004

SAN DIEGO--Matt Bush, whom the Padres took first overall in the draft two weeks ago, remains suspended while the Padres look into the possibility of voiding his contract.

Bush, 18, was arrested in Peoria, Ariz., on Sunday after an incident at a bar across the street from the Padres' minor league and spring training complex. Police say bouncers at McDuffy's bar tried to get him and his 23-year-old brother Jeremy to leave, starting an altercation.

Officials in Maricopa County, Ariz., scheduled Bush's arraignment on charges from the incident for July 6. Bush was charged with three misdemeanors--disorderly conduct, trespassing and underage consumption of alcohol--and one felony, aggravated assault. The felony charge has since been dismissed.

Bush was arrested at about 1 a.m. Sunday and released about noon.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said he would have no further comment on Bush. He remains suspended and the club is considering voiding his contract, which called for a $3.15 million signing bonus. The Padres have paid Bush $150,000 so far.

Bush, a local standout at Mission Bay High, flew home to San Diego on Tuesday and returned to Arizona on a mid-afternoon flight. Bush said he was under instructions not to talk to the media, but hoped to be back on the field soon.

"I don't consider him a partier, but I do consider him a follower," Mission Bay coach Dennis Pugh told Student Sports.com. "He has never been suspended at school, and never had any incident problems at school.

"I hope he gets another opportunity to make the best of it. This is sure a black mark against him, and he's going to pay for a long time."

Padres president Dick Freeman told the San Diego Union-Tribune the team will conduct a complete investigation into Bush's background before making any decisions.

"I wouldn't take anything out of the picture right now," Freeman told the Union-Tribune. "I don't want to sugarcoat how I feel. I am so very disappointed. But I am trying to reserve judgment. There are a lot of unanswered questions."

Padres manager Bruce Bochy said he hopes Bush learns from his mistake and is able to become the player the Padres hope he can be.

"You're surprised anytime a young kid gets in trouble," Bochy said. "It's tough on the organization because of the investment. We need to get him on the field so we can develop him.

"All you can do is hope he learns from his mistakes."

John Maffei covers the Padres for the North County Times.