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Gattis clarifies perceived shot at Fiers: 'I have zero bad feelings' toward him

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Evan Gattis is walking back a perceived criticism of a former Houston Astros teammate after he made headlines Friday by tweeting a picture of a glass featuring a likeness of Mike Fiers accompanied by the caption "snitches get stitches."

"For the record, I have zero bad feelings toward Fiers," the former MLB catcher wrote Saturday on Twitter. "We have actually texted and I hoped he didn't get too much hate (mail or threats). He was our teammate. I just thought the glass was funny."

MLB in January released a report detailing an investigation that found the Astros guilty of using technology to steal pitching signs from their opponents. The scheme, which spanned the 2017 season, ensuing postseason, and part of the 2018 campaign, resulted in the suspensions and subsequent firings of manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow. The club was also fined $5 million and was stripped of its top two picks in each of the next two drafts.

The league launched its investigation after Fiers - a member of the Astros' 2017 World Series roster along with Gattis - acted as a whistleblower and revealed the scheme. Fiers, now a member of the Oakland Athletics, has since faced myriad criticisms from other players, including Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. He has also received death threats.

"The way the 'public' feels about us cheating is how I felt when I at least assumed that other people were cheating against us,'" Gattis wrote in a follow-up tweet. "No excuses. But I understand everyone's anger. Doesn't exactly put Humpty Dumpty back together again."

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