Washington Nationals SS Trea Turner Apologizes for Offensive Tweets

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals shortstop Trea Turner apologized Sunday night for some years-old homophobic and racially insensitive tweets, becoming the latest in a series of major leaguers to address offensive language they used on social media.

The tweets surfaced hours after Washington's 5-0 loss at Miami. The posts are from 2011 and 2012.

The 25-year-old Turner said there is no excuse for his language and he is "sincerely sorry for those tweets and apologize wholeheartedly."

"I believe people who know me understand those regrettable actions do not reflect my values or who I am," he said in a statement issued by the team. "But I understand the hurtful nature of such language and am sorry to have brought any negative light to the Nationals organization, myself or the game I love."

Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb also apologized Sunday for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager, calling them "some stupid stuff." Major League Baseball dealt with a similar situation this month involving Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader on the night he pitched in the All-Star Game.

Mike Rizzo, the president of baseball operations for the Nationals, said he spoke with Turner about the issue.

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