Mariners cleared in MLB probe

Major League Baseball’s independent investigation found no credible evidence to support claims of disparaging comments and discriminatory treatment by members of the Seattle Mariners front office.

MLB said in a statement Wednesday that the probe found the Mariners did not violate baseball’s “workplace code of conduct, or applicable anti-discrimination law,” in the treatment of Lorena Martin or in her termination by the club.

Martin was the club’s director of high performance for one season, then was fired after the 2018 season.

The investigation also concluded there was no evidence to support Martin’s claims that general manager Jerry Dipoto, director of player development Andy McKay and manager Scott Servais made disparaging comments against Latino players. The Mariners have denied Martin’s claims since they were first made.

Martin has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the team. MLB said it will have no further comment regarding the investigation because of the pending litigation.

The investigation was conducted by Epstein Becker Green, a law firm specializing in labor and employment matters. MLB said the firm’s lawyers interviewed 17 potential witnesses, including Martin.

Martin took to social media in response to the MLB investigation, saying she is “disappointed but not surprised at the outcome.” In her statement, Martin said she was interviewed by Jennifer Gefsky, a former MLB deputy general counsel who is now an Epstein Becker partner.

A person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $2.2million, one-year deal with reliever Brad Boxberger. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a successful physical . ... Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals agreed in principle to a $1.3-million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press.