Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in California.
The 46-year-old acknowledged in a San Diego courtroom Friday that he possessed about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of cocaine with intent to distribute. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 2.
Loaiza had been under surveillance when he was arrested in February near a house in Imperial Beach, which borders Tijuana, Mexico. His sliver Mercedes SUV had just left the garage when authorities stopped him.
Loaiza played for several U.S. teams between 1995 and 2008, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.