Former MLB Pitcher Esteban Loaiza To Change Plea In Drug Case

A former MLB pitcher accused of being a drug kingpin is changing his plea in the case.  Reports indicate Esteban Loaiza will appear before a federal judge in San Diego on Friday, after originally entering a plea of not guilty.  Prosecutors say 44-pounds of cocaine were found inside a van, parked at a townhouse Loaiza was renting.  Police allegedly found a compartment in his Mercedes-Benz that was designed to hide contraband.  The Mexican-born Loaiza faces up to life in prison if convicted.  Loaiza played 14-seasons in Major League Baseball, including stops with the Pirates, White Sox, Dodgers and Yankees. He's currently second all-time in wins among Mexican born pitchers, trailing only Fernando Valenzuela.  A two time All-Star, Loaiza earned over $43,000,000 during his playing career.  Loaiza is also the estranged husband of singer and artist Jenni Rivera who died in a plane crash in 2012 before the couple's divorce proceedings were finalized.

Photo: AOL