For the second time in three months, a Detroit Tiger has found his way into police custody.

Tigers starting catcher Gerald Laird was arrested Wednesday night for his role in a brawl inside the NBA arena in Phoenix, the Associated Press reported. Also arrested were Laird’s younger brother, Brandon Laird, who’s an infield prospect in the Yankees’ system, and an unidentified man. The alleged brawl occurred in a lounge area of the U.S. Airways Center, where the Suns and Celtics were playing. AP reported that police said Laird’s party was contacted by security about loud behavior, and that two men were allowed back into the lounge after a conversation with security. But a melee, according to the AP report, broke out shortly thereafter when the Laird brothers assaulted the security guards.

Gerald Laird was cited for assault, Brandon Laird for disorderly conduct.

Tigers spokesman Ron Colangelo told The Detroit News on Thursday night the club is aware of the report on Laird and continues to gather information.

Laird joins first baseman Miguel Cabrera as Tigers recently making headlines for off-the-field behavior. This fall, late in the American League Central title race, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski picked up Cabrera from a Metro Detroit police station after the slugger’s long and ill-timed night of heavy drinking.

Laird, 30, lives in Peoria, a Phoenix suburb, during the offseason. He was traded to the Tigers last offseason, was their starting catcher this past season and shined defensively, throwing out 42 percent of would-be base stealers. He hit just .225 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 135 games, though, and might face a challenge from Alex Avila for playing time in 2010 if his offense doesn’t improve.

Brandon Laird, 22, was drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round in 2007 and has shown good power and run production during his first two full seasons in the minor leagues. He plays first and third base.

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Filed under: MLB • NBA

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