New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez is due in court to face charges that he assaulted his girlfriend's father and then violated a restraining order stemming from the incident.

Rodriguez is accused of grabbing 53-year-old Carlos Pena after an Aug. 11 game at Citi Field and hitting him in the face.

The 28-year-old reliever is accused of later sending text messages to Pena's daughter, Daian Pena.

He is scheduled to appear in a Queens court on Thursday.

Defense lawyer Christopher Booth has said Rodriguez didn't clearly understand he wasn't allowed to attempt to resolve the disagreement with his girlfriend. Booth said the text messages he sent her were declarations of love.

Rodriguez has been free on bail. He's still barred from contacting Pena and her family.