Mets fire GM Jared Porter after he sent explicit images to female reporter

The New York Mets terminated the contract of general manager Jared Porter, owner Steve Cohen announced Tuesday.

"In my initial press conference, I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it. There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior," Cohen tweeted.

Porter recently acknowledged sending unsolicited explicit images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was employed by the Chicago Cubs, as reported in a story by Mina Kimes and Jeff Passan of ESPN that was published Monday night. The messages included a picture of an "an erect, naked penis," according to the text history Kimes and Passan viewed. The woman said that at one point, Porter sent her more than 60 messages without a response.

"I have spoken directly with Jared Porter regarding events that took place in 2016 of which we were made aware tonight for the first time," Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement Monday. "Jared has acknowledged to me his serious error in judgment, has taken responsibility for his conduct, has expressed remorse, and has previously apologized for his actions.

"The Mets take these matters seriously, expect professional and ethical behavior from all of our employees, and certainly do not condone the conduct described in (the ESPN) story."

Alderson issued a follow-up statement Tuesday, saying Porter's actions "failed to meet the Mets' standards for professionalism and personal conduct."

Major League Baseball plans to launch an investigation into the matter, a source told Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Such an investigation could reportedly lead to a suspension for Porter, who would then have to apply for reinstatement to work in baseball again.

New York hired Porter on Dec. 13. He previously worked for the Boston Red Sox, Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cubs said they were unaware of the incident involving Porter until the ESPN report surfaced Monday.

"Had we been notified, we would have taken swift action as the alleged abhorrent behavior is in violation of our code of conduct. ... We take issues of sexual harassment seriously and plan to investigate the matter," the team said Tuesday, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

According to the ESPN report, the woman told a Cubs employee about Porter's conduct in 2016.