Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza was sentenced to three years in prison for cocaine possession Friday.
Loaiza pleaded guilty in August to possessing about 20 kilograms, or 44 pounds, of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was arrested in February 2018.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of nearly five years, while Loaiza's attorney had pushed for 18 to 24 months before U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino issued her sentence in San Diego federal court.
Loaiza will be deported after serving his sentence, his lawyer said.
Speaking in court, Loaiza apologized "to my family, friends, my fans" and the sport of baseball.