Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested in Pittsburgh on charges of computer pornography -- solicitation of a child, and providing obscene material to minors, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Tuesday.

The FDLE issued a statement saying it began its investigation into Vazquez in August after obtaining information that the pitcher reportedly had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in Lee County, Florida. The victim, now 15, allegedly was continuing to have a relationship with Vazquez via text message and received a video from him in July in which he is shown performing a sex act, according to the police statement.

Vazquez has been put on administrative leave by Major League Baseball, though sources told ESPN that the league is not launching an immediate investigation because it plans to use the police's findings in pursuing potential discipline for Vazquez.

"Today we were made aware of an active law enforcement investigation involving Felipe Vázquez and his subsequent arrest," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement. "We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously. We have informed the Commissioner's Office of the investigation and arrest.

"The Commissioner's Office will immediately place Felipe Vázquez on Administrative Leave (and, as a result, Restricted List) pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy. We need to be respectful to all involved and the ongoing legal proceeding. As a result, the organization, our staff and players cannot comment any further at this time."

The arrest was made by the FDLE with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police. Several electronic devices were seized by police and will be examined as part of the investigation with more charges possible for Vazquez.

The felony warrant was issued in Lee County, Florida. Vazquez, who is in the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, faces extradition to Lee County.

The administrative leave is pursuant to MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. A player can remain on leave up to seven days, but it can be extended if MLB and the MLB Players Association agree to it.

Vazquez, the Pirates' closer, is 5-1 with 28 saves, 90 strikeouts and a 1.65 ERA this season. He is a two-time All-Star selection and is signed with the Pirates through at least 2021.

Vazquez will be paid while on administrative leave, but the Pirates could attempt to void his contract. However, past efforts by teams to nullify deals, even in cases of illegal behavior, have proven difficult. He is owed $5.25 million for the 2020 season and $7.25 million for 2021. The Pirates also hold $10 million options on the 2022 and '23 seasons -- the first with a $1 million buyout and the second a $500,000 buyout.

Vazquez was among the most sought-after players before the July 31 trade deadline, with multiple teams pursuing him a back-end-of-the-bullpen solution. The Pirates held out for an enormous asking price, valuing Vazquez -- and especially the four years of team control -- as one of the best assets in baseball. Teams found the Pirates' demands exorbitant, and Vazquez remained with Pittsburgh.

ESPN's Jeff Passan contributed to this report.

Our series with reigning world champions continues as the 400m hurdles star tells Stuart Weir about a night of gold medals and big celebrations

What do you remember about the World Championships in London in 2017?

I don’t remember a lot actually but it is probably the best and strongest memory that I have because the race meant a lot to me.

I was world champion – and that was huge – but at the same time I don’t remember anything from the race or what went on after that!

But it was a great experience for me, so it means a lot.

What happened afterwards was that you put on a Viking helmet and amused the crowd!

That would be a mix between adrenaline and that I was really happy to win! As I said I don’t remember much because it was just pure joy.

How has being world champion changed your life?

It has done a lot for my career. I have very good opportunities now and people are very interested in what I do, which is also a huge motivation. So the world championship was very good for me.

How are you planning toward retaining your title in Doha?

Just the same as I did in London. I just have to run and try to be at the top level.

It is tougher because it’s late but at the same time I will do everything in my power to try to do a really good race.

First, I have to come to the final and then we will see. But anything can happen in a final.

Click here for more interviews in the series.

SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Sportscar Vintage Racing Ass’n officials have announced a 14-race schedule for 2020.

The synergies of SVRA vintage racing, Trans-Am, IGT contemporary sports cars and the popular Vintage Race Of Champions featuring legendary drivers have generated growth in sponsorship, membership, and event attendance.

“We are on the right trajectory with the SpeedTour national platform and the businesses it represents,” said SVRA CEO Tony Parella. “By combining Trans Am and IGT with over 100 years of historic racing machines we are meeting a market demand from motorsports fans for diversity of design and engine sounds. Our high net worth demographic in our paddocks is very appealing to sponsors. I am particularly proud to see the enthusiasm for our VROC series, which will expand with the addition of the race at COTA in 2020.”

The season will begin at Auto Club Speedway the second weekend of February. It will conclude at the Circuit of The Americas Nov. 6-8. Between and in order are Roebling Road, Sebring Int’l Raceway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Elkhart Lake’s Road America, Lime Rock Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Portland Int’l Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Virginia Int’l Raceway and Savannah.

Classic automobile marques will be showcased at every event with the exception of Roebling Road, which focuses on providing a fast track driving school. Among the marques to be celebrated are Mustang, Cobra, Alfa Romeo, Miata, MG, Triumph, Elva, Datsun, and Corvair. Historic Trans Am will be featured at Sebring and Laguna Seca and Sports 2000 will be honored for its important role in racing history at Road Atlanta.

The flourishing popularity of the VROC Charity Pro-Am series, which grew out of a single Charity Pro-Am at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014, has expanded to four events at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Indianapolis, Virginia Int’l Raceway and Circuit of the Americas. Hall of Fame drivers who have scored VROC victories include Al Unser Jr., Willy T. Ribbs, Max Papis, Boris Said, Greg Biffle, and Paul Tracy.

VROC is about racing for a reason. Nearly $1,000,000 has been given to charity since the original Charity Pro-Am in 2014. Among the charities receiving funding are Hope for the Warriors, International Motor Racing Research Center, RPM Foundation, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Nancy Lieberman Charities, Morgan Adams Foundation, as well as IGNITE and the Autism Society of North Carolina.

2020 Sportscar Vintage Racing Ass’n Schedule

Feb. 8-9 – Auto Club Speedway – Fontana, Calif.

Feb. 14-16 – Roebling Road Raceway – Bloomingdale, Ga.

Feb. 28-March 1 – Sebring Int’l Raceway – Sebring, Fla.

March 27-29 – Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Ga.

May 1-3 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.

May 15-17 – Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.

May 22-25 – Lime Rock Park – Lime Rock, Conn.

June 18-21 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Ind.

June 26-28 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio

July 24-26 – Portland Int’l Raceway – Portland, Ore.

Sept. 10-13 – Watkins Glen Int’l – Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Sept. 25-27 – Virginia Int’l Raceway – Alton, Va.

Oct. 23-25 – Grand Prize of America Road Course – Savannah, Ga.

Nov. 6-8 – Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — As auto racing enters the third decade of the 21st century, it continues to struggle with its place in an ever-changing sporting landscape.

It’s essentially a 20th century sport, out of place by today’s fast-paced technological world where a 16-year-old can win $3 million in a “Game of Thrones” tournament while race car drivers continue to put there lives on the line for a mere fraction of that.

There are two choices — become as high-tech as Formula One or remain so low-tech that it becomes an “antique sport.”

Auto racing has also struggled with its connection to the automotive industry, which has moved away from mechanical to electrical and into the land of driver assist. The problem is, without the vast dollars spent by automotive manufacturers, auto racing teams would struggle to survive.

But in order to justify the dollars spent on auto racing, auto manufacturers have to get some return on their investment.

This is known as “technology transfer.” It’s where the lessons learned on the race track can help the automotive industry get more power out of smaller engines or create the next electronic component that makes the passenger car more productive and more efficient.

Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Porsche and other car manufacturers aren’t investing millions of dollars to entertain a few, hard-to-please race fans. Gone are the days of, “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday,” as the marketplace has moved away from sedans to SUVs and hybrids.

That is why IndyCar’s decision to create a new engine platform utilizing hybrid technology beginning in 2022 is so important.

Before the old-timers start popping off about how this will ruin the sport, keep in mind this is “hybrid” and not “electric.”

The engines aren’t going to make that annoying, slot-car whining sound produced in Formula E. The hybrid will be part of a 2.4-liter internal combustion engine similar to that already used by Honda and Chevrolet.

It will not affect the sound, so save that rant for another day.

Also, it’s not full hybrid, but hybrid assisted. The cars will still need to make pit stops to refuel and the horsepower will increase to more than 900 — something race fans and drivers have wanted for the past two decades.

It will be the first time the vehicles will not use the traditional, manual hand-held electric starters to start the race cars. Instead, a hybrid component can be activated by the driver from the cockpit.

“It’s an exciting time for IndyCar with the forthcoming evolution of the cars and innovations like the hybrid powertrain being incorporated into the new engine and chassis,” said IndyCar President Jay Frye. “As we move toward the future, we will remain true to our racing roots of being fast, loud and authentic and simultaneously have the ability to add hybrid technology that is an important element for the series and our engine manufacturers.”

The hybrid system will work in parallel with the engines, combining growing hybrid technology with the traditional power plants to produce in excess of 900 horsepower for the most competitive racing series in the world.

The hybrid powertrain will be integrated into the push-to-pass system and provide a power boost to the tool used by drivers for overtaking on road and street courses. The current system, which is limited to 200 seconds per driver in those events, will gain additional horsepower from the hybrid system to help IndyCar reach its target goal of achieving 900-plus horsepower for its cars.

The hybrid technology will consist of a multi-phase motor, inverter and electric storage device that will create energy recovery from the car’s braking system.

The addition of the hybrid technology to the traditional engine formula will provide some integral benefits for the competitors while enhancing the racing. In addition to allowing drivers to restart their cars from the cockpit, the system will increase the horsepower of the push-to-pass system and potentially improve the pace and overall time of races.

IndyCar announced in May 2018 it would move to a 2.4-liter engine formula that would produce 900 horsepower beginning in 2021. The addition of the hybrid powertrain will push the debut of the new engine formula from 2021 to 2022, realigning it with the arrival of the next-generation chassis.

The move will allow IndyCar to continue working on other future innovations for the new package as well as extend the window of opportunity for an additional Original Equipment Manufacturer to join Chevrolet and Honda in 2022.

From a safety standpoint, the system will improve on-track situations by giving the driver the ability to restart the car quickly should it stall.

That safety feature also provides a benefit to the fan experience by potentially helping reduce the number of caution flags for stalled cars on track.

The new engine/chassis regulations will be in place for six years — 2022 through the ’27 season. It is a continuation of IndyCar’s initial five-year strategic competition plan that originated in 2016.

Chevrolet and Honda will continue with the current homologation table through the 2021 season.

IndyCar needed to make this bold step to remain in line with what is important to automotive manufacturers. After all, they are the ones that really pay a huge chunk of the bill.