For the first time since the allegations were made public, Mariners Manager Scott Servais commented on the claims made by Dr. Lorena Martin, the former high-performance director for the team.
In November, Dr. Martin accused Servais, General Manager Jerry Dipoto, and Director of Player Development Andy McKay of being degrading and racist towards Latino players on the team.
Major League Baseball is investigating the claims.
During the winter baseball meetings in Las Vegas, Servais said he was very surprised to learn of the allegations and considers his word to be his bond.
Servais also said he is confident once the investigation is done, the truth will come out.
Martin posted on social media that the Mariners management has “major issues,” including calling Latino players lazy, dumb, and stupid. She called out upper level management for their alleged behavior, including General Manager Jerry Dipoto, Manager Scott Servais, and Director of Player Development Andy McKay.
“The things I’ve witnessed and heard first hand have left me shocked,” Martin wrote in a tweet.
The Mariners hired Martin in October 2017 as the organization’s first high-performance director to coordinate player and staff physical and mental training, including medical, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental skills.
Martin says on her Twitter page she was the MLB’s first female director of high performance.