Leonys Martin not distracted by ex-agent's arrest

PEORIA, Ariz. - Until a few days ago, most of the interest surrounding new Seattle Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin centered on whether he would be able to bounce back from a frustrating 2015 season.

Then on Friday, his former agent was arrested on federal charges involving illegal smuggling of baseball players from Cuba to the United States. A grand jury indicted Bart Hernandez on two conspiracy counts that revolve around Martin, who defected from the communist country in 2010.

Martin, who reported Sunday to the Mariners' spring camp, said he will not be distracted by the legal proceedings.

''All I got on my mind is, `Play baseball,''' Martin said. ''That's all I'm about, `Play baseball.' I've got no comment on (Hernandez).''

A day earlier, Martin issued a broader statement on the situation, via his new representation, MDR Sports.

''I am obviously aware that Bart Hernandez was arrested yesterday by the United States government,'' the statement read. ''The decision to arrest him was made by the government, not by me, and any questions about why he was arrested should be directed to the prosecutor in Florida.''

''Out of respect for the judicial process, I will have no further comment on this matter, and I ask that the media respect my privacy and the privacy of my family. My total focus is on doing everything in my ability to contribute to a successful season for the Seattle Mariners,'' the statement read.

Martin, acquired from Texas in an offseason trade, had been an important player for the Rangers and he entered last season expected to build off a 2014 campaign that saw him start 140 games in center field, hit .274 and steal 31 bases.

But he struggled. By the end of June he was batting .223 and he lost his starting job at the All-Star break. After being demoted to Triple-A Round Rock, he broke his wrist, missing most of August and September.

''I don't want to make any excuses,'' he said. ''It was a bad year.''