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Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez was poised to resign after a player notified the team Martinez became angry with him and grabbed him by his neck chain, according to multiple sources.
But sources said team owner Jeffrey Loria, who hired Martinez, nixed the idea, at least for now.
According to two sources, the agent of rookie second baseman Derek Dietrich, who was demoted last week to the minors, contacted team officials about the alleged incident, which occurred several months ago.
Dietrich’s agent, David Meter, would neither confirm nor deny that the incident took place.
“I’d rather not address it,” Meter said. “I think it’s a team issue.”
Marlins officials would not confirm that the team is looking into the matter.
“I’m sure if there is an issue, it will be addressed,” said Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello.
Martinez and manager Mike Redmond weren’t on the field at the start of batting practice before Friday’s game. Instead, sources said they were discussing the Dietrich incident with Marlins front office executives.
One player, who asked not to be identified, said Martinez has been verbally abusive to other hitters during spring training and throughout the season, to the point that players have complained to Redmond about it.
“It’s all shocked everybody,” the player said. “He uses intimidation. It’s been a problem since day one.”
According to sources, other players who have been attacked verbally by Martinez include outfielder Justin Ruggiano, infielder Chris Valaika and minor-league infielder Matt Downs.
Martinez, 45, is a 16-year major league veteran and two-time All-Star who amassed 1,925 hits, mostly with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
Though he had never coached before at the professional level until this season, he was Loria’s hand-picked selection to become the Marlins’ hitting coach.
The Marlins are the lowest scoring team in the majors this season.
Injuries and a lack of experience in the lineup have been singled out as the two biggest reasons for the team’s lack of offense. But one player said that the rift between hitters and Martinez has also had an effect.
“I think it’s definitely had an effect,” the player said.
But sources said team owner Jeffrey Loria, who hired Martinez, nixed the idea, at least for now.
According to two sources, the agent of rookie second baseman Derek Dietrich, who was demoted last week to the minors, contacted team officials about the alleged incident, which occurred several months ago.
Dietrich’s agent, David Meter, would neither confirm nor deny that the incident took place.
“I’d rather not address it,” Meter said. “I think it’s a team issue.”
Marlins officials would not confirm that the team is looking into the matter.
“I’m sure if there is an issue, it will be addressed,” said Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello.
Martinez and manager Mike Redmond weren’t on the field at the start of batting practice before Friday’s game. Instead, sources said they were discussing the Dietrich incident with Marlins front office executives.
One player, who asked not to be identified, said Martinez has been verbally abusive to other hitters during spring training and throughout the season, to the point that players have complained to Redmond about it.
“It’s all shocked everybody,” the player said. “He uses intimidation. It’s been a problem since day one.”
According to sources, other players who have been attacked verbally by Martinez include outfielder Justin Ruggiano, infielder Chris Valaika and minor-league infielder Matt Downs.
Martinez, 45, is a 16-year major league veteran and two-time All-Star who amassed 1,925 hits, mostly with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
Though he had never coached before at the professional level until this season, he was Loria’s hand-picked selection to become the Marlins’ hitting coach.
The Marlins are the lowest scoring team in the majors this season.
Injuries and a lack of experience in the lineup have been singled out as the two biggest reasons for the team’s lack of offense. But one player said that the rift between hitters and Martinez has also had an effect.
“I think it’s definitely had an effect,” the player said.
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