Miguel Cabrera asks for media to be banned from paternity suit hearing

Miguel Cabrera is scheduled to appear in court for a paternity hearing next month, and the Detroit Tigers star is asking a judge to prevent the media from getting a front-row seat to it.

Evan Woodberry of MLive.com reports that Cabrera’s attorneys have asked a judge to close the Feb. 12 paternity hearing proceedings due to Cabrera’s notoriety and the involvement of children. A ruling is expected in the near future.

“The media has an interest in reporting about these proceedings,” Cabrera’s attorney said. “In fact, multiple articles have been written and posted by various news media outlets. The father believes it is in the best interests of the parties and the minor children to minimize opportunities for the media to continue to report about this matter.”

Cabrera asked for a paternity test after 35-year-old Belkis Mariela Rodriguez accused the slugger of cutting off his child support payments to her for two children he allegedly fathered. The children were born in 2013 and 2015 outside of Cabrera’s marriage of 15 years to another woman, and Cabrera is listed as the father on the birth certificate for both. Cabrera’s attorneys are arguing that Rodriguez is looking for a big payday even after Cabrera was generous enough to buy her a house in Orlando.

Cabrera also has three children with his wife Rosangel, who filed for divorce last year but later withdrew the petition. The 34-year-old first baseman made $28 million in each of the past two seasons and is set to earn $30 million a season over the next four years. He has earned $216 million thus far in his playing career.