TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Tampa Bay Devil Rays rookie Elijah Dukes is not allowed to contact his estranged wife for a year under terms of a restraining order she sought after being threatened by the 22-year-old outfielder.
Hillsborough County Circuit Judge William Levens granted the protective order to NiShea Gilbert on Wednesday, a week after a published report revealed details of the couple’s troubled marriage.
The St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday that Gilbert, 26, told the newspaper she also had filed for divorce.
Gilbert’s attorney, W. Dale Gabbard, did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press.
Dukes, who homered in Wednesday night’s 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers, apologized this week to his family, the Devil Rays and fans for the distraction caused by his personal situation off the field.
Gilbert sought a restraining order after receiving a threatening message on her cell phone, as well as a text message containing a picture of a handgun. She also said Dukes threatened her at the middle school where she’s a teacher.
The restraining order also requires Dukes to undergo a psychological evaluation before he’s allowed to see the couple’s two children.
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