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Mets fine Callaway, Vargas for actions during altercation with reporter

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Warning: Story contains coarse language

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced Monday that the organization has fined manager Mickey Callaway and pitcher Jason Vargas for their conduct during an altercation with a reporter following Sunday's game, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Callaway and Vargas were each fined $10,000, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The team won't suspend either individual, and Van Wagenen doesn't expect Callaway and Vargas to receive any additional discipline from Major League Baseball, according to DiComo.

"I met with Mickey Callaway this afternoon, I met with Jason Vargas, and then collectively we met as a team," Van Wagenen said, according to SNY. "... The Mets organization does not condone the behavior that took place yesterday. We are committed to trying to create a healthy work environment for everybody that works in the game. That includes the players, the coaches, the media, and everybody else.

"The altercation was disappointing. It was regrettable on many levels."

After Sunday's loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Newsday's Tim Healey reportedly said, "See you tomorrow, Mickey." Callaway responded by asking staff to "get this motherfucker out" of the clubhouse. Vargas then physically threatened Healey and had to be restrained by teammates from going after the reporter.

The Mets issued a public apology to Healey late Sunday, and the reporter said that Mets ownership personally contacted him after the incident. Callaway initially stopped short of issuing his own apology Monday, but he did characterize the incident as a "misunderstanding," according to DiComo.

"I understand that I can't control the actions of others, or the words of others, but I can always control my reaction to those things," Callaway said.

"I don't need to tell my side," the manager added when offered the chance to give his view of Sunday's incident, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. "That doesn't help me in any way."

Callaway did say he's spoken to Healey since the incident, and that his relationship with the reporter is "fine." However, about two hours after his initial press conference, Callaway reappeared before the media and issued a clearer public apology.

"In my meeting with Tim (Healey) I apologized for my reaction," Callaway said. "I regret it. I regret the distraction it's caused to the team, and like I said earlier, it's something that we'll learn from.

"It's something I'm not proud of. I'm not proud of the distraction, I'm not proud of what I did to Tim. For that, I'm definitely sorry."

Van Wagenen added that he still thinks highly of Callaway following the incident.

"My confidence remains the same in Mickey's ability to do this job," the GM said, according to DiComo.

Vargas gave a brief statement to reporters Monday and didn't take any questions, nor did he address the incident directly.

The Mets begin a four-game series in Philadelphia against the Phillies on Monday night. Vargas is scheduled to pitch on Wednesday.

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