SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Former MLB pitcher Esteban Loaiza pleaded not guilty in Chula Vista court Wednesday to drug smuggling charges.
Loaiza, 46, was arrested Friday during a traffic stop. Deputies said Loaiza had a sophisticated compartment to hide contraband in his Mercedes.
Deputies searched his rented home in Imperial Beach and said they discovered packages of white powder they believed to be cocaine.
In court Wednesday, a judge ordered Loaiza to be held on $250,000 bail on charges of possessing drugs for sale, transporting drugs, and having a hidden compartment in his vehicle.
Loaiza earned more than $43 million in 14 seasons as a Major League pitcher.
He played teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees.
Loaiza, who last pitched in the majors in 2008, made over $40 million in his 13-year career.
He was married to singer Jenni Rivera, who died in a 2012 plane crash. She had filed for divorce shortly before her death.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
