Nationals, Turner issue statements regarding offensive tweets

The Nationals and shortstop Trea Turner have issued statements regarding offensive tweets that have surfaced from Turner's Twitter account dating to his time playing college baseball in 2011 and 2012.

The statement from Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo read:

"I have spoken with Trea regarding the tweets that surfaced earlier tonight. He understands that his comments - regardless of when they were posted - are inexcusable and is taking full responsibility for his actions. The Nationals organization does not condone discrimination in any form, and his comments in no way reflect the values of our club. Trea has been a good teammate and model citizen in our clubhouse, and these comments are not indicative of how he has conducted himself while part of our team. He has apologized to me and to the organization for his comments."

Turner's statement, issued by the Nationals following Rizzo's statement, read as follows:

"There are no excuses for my insensitive and offensive language on Twitter. I am 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. 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."

Earlier today, copies of tweets from 2011 and 2012, when Turner was playing in college for North Carolina State, were published online. They included racially insensitive language and homophobic slurs.

Turner, 25, was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft by the Padres and was traded to the Nationals as a player to be named in a three-way deal also involving the Padres and Rays in December 2015.