Arrest warrant issued for former Marlins first-round pick

GREENSBORO, N.C. --An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for a former Florida Marlins first-round draft pick who failed to appear at a court hearing.

Jeff Allison, a right-handed pitcher from Peabody, Mass., was arrested in October and charged with felony possession of heroin and possession of a stolen vehicle.

The News & Record of Greensboro said Guilford County Judge Susan Burch issued the warrant and a $2,500 secured bond after Allison missed the preliminary hearing. The judge barred the public from the hearing, and Allison's public defender declined comment.

The charges carry up to four years in prison. Lawyers have discussed waiving jail time if Allison completes rehabilitation for drug addiction.

The 22-year-old Allison, the 16th player selected in the 2003 draft, has missed two of the past three seasons and has acknowledged drug addiction. He started 18 games in 2005 for the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League.