Phillies: Odubel Herrera asks teammates, fans to forgive him

On the field, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera had a decent day for a Major League Baseball player while making his 2021 Grapefruit League debut in the team’s 4-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The 2016 National League All-Star went 1-for-3 with a single, run scored, and stolen base, while also making a notable catch on a line drive to right field.

Herrera, however, remains surrounded by a cloud formed ever since his 2019 arrest and subsequent suspension for a domestic violence incident against his girlfriend.

Phillies OF Odubel Herrera plays in his first professional game in nearly 2 years.

Before the road game — which marked his first professional plate appearances since May 2019 — the five-year veteran said he felt compelled to first speak to his traveling roster teammates, expressing remorse for his actions.

After the loss, the outfielder spoke for the first time to reporters since the incident and apologized publicly for his behavior. Herrera asked for forgiveness from his Phillies teammates and fans, adding that he has learned a lot and has changed as a person.

Odubel Herrera understands everyone won’t forgive him.

Herrera continued that he is trying to build back trust with everyone — fans, the city, and teammates — as he says he has with his girlfriend.. “I feel sorry because I made a big mistake,” he said. “I feel like some people are not going to forgive me and I understand that.”

“I know some people are not going to forgive me. I understand that,” Herrera said. “But I spent the last two years earning [my girlfriend’s] trust back and I am grateful because she forgive me. Now, I would like to have the same opportunity with my teammates and our fans.”

Herrera shared that he plans to speak with the rest of his team, including veteran leaders, in the near future.

The outfielder is in spring training camp as a minor-leaguer in “mini-camp,” and although he will earn $10.35 million, along with at least a $2.5 million buyout after this coming season, his status on the 2021 Opening Day roster is far from guaranteed.