SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners released a statement Thursday in regards to two tweets about recent police shootings and Black Lives Matter posted by backup catcher Steve Clevenger.
According to KIRO 7 News partner ESPN 710 Seattle, the tweets said:
"Black people beating whites when a thug got shot holding a gun by a black officer haha [expletive] cracks me up. Keep kneeling for the Anthem!"
"BLM is pathetic once again! Obama you are pathetic once again! Everyone involved should be locked behind bars like animals!"
Clevenger’s Twitter account is currently private.
Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Dipoto released a statement Thursday afternoon:
The Seattle Mariners are very disappointed at the tweets posted on Steve Clevenger's account. While he is certainly free to express himself, his tweets do not in any way represent the opinions of the Seattle Mariners. We strongly disagree with the language and tone of his comments.
We are currently examining all internal options that are available to us as we determine appropriate next steps.
We will have no further comment at this time.
Clevenger is on the Mariners' 60-day disabled list. He was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to Seattle for Mark Trumbo.
On Thursday night, MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal shared an apology from Clevenger.