MLB

Grady Sizemore.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND -- Indians centre-fielder Grady Sizemore has contacted investigators from Major League Baseball to stop publication of steamy photographs that he says were stolen from his girlfriend's email account and then posted online.

A baseball official, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements had been authorized, told The Associated Press that MLB officials have been contacting the websites that posted the photos and have been asking them to take down the pictures. It is not known how many sites are complying with the request.

Sizemore took the photos, which first appeared on the Internet on Sunday, with a cellphone standing in front of a bathroom mirror. He is partially nude in a few of them.

"We fully support Grady as he deals with this personal matter," the Indians said in a statement Monday. "The posted photos were stolen from his girlfriend's email account and a legal investigation is under way."

Sizemore told The Plain Dealer of Cleveland the photos were intended for his girlfriend. The team said Sizemore wouldn't make any further comment on the photos.

The 27-year-old Sizemore is the Indians' most popular player. His fan base includes "Grady's Ladies," and several other women's groups devoted to the three-time all-star.

With a rare combination of speed and power, Sizemore has developed into one of baseball's best all-around players. He is one of only two players in club history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in one season.

A two-time Gold Glove winner, Sizemore has endeared himself to Cleveland fans with his hustle and durability. In 2006 and 2007, he played in all 162 regular-season games, but he was limited to just 106 games last season.

Sizemore suffered an elbow injury and sports hernia during spring training in 2009 and was never 100 per cent. He batted a career-low .248 with 18 homers and 64 RBIs before he deciding to stop playing on Sept. 4. He underwent two off-season surgeries.