A's Maxwell pleads not guilty to assault, disorderly conduct charges

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct stemming from an Oct. 28 incident, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The incident took place at Maxwell's residence after which he was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at a food delivery person. Per police reports, Maxwell appeared to be intoxicated at the time of his arrest.

The trial is expected to take place in the new year, though a plea agreement can be reached before then.

Because the new collective bargaining agreement doesn't allow both the league and team to discipline a player, either MLB or the A's will determine how to move forward with Maxwell once his case is settled.

The 26-year-old hit .237/.329/.333 in 76 games last season. On Sept. 23, Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice.