K-Rod quickly apologizes, answers no questions about assault incident

Francisco Rodriguez, returning from a two-day team-imposed suspension, said in a brief statement to reporters Saturday that he plans to undergo anger management counseling.

Making his first appearance at Citi Field since he allegedly attacked the grandfather of his children in the family room late Wednesday night, the Mets closer also apologized to the team's ownership, front office, his teammates and fans "for the embarrassment that I caused."

Speaking for a little less than a minute in a side room inside the expansive clubhouse, Rodriguez did not take questions, citing the ongoing legal case. He is facing third-degree assault and second-degree harassment charges and could face up to a year in jail if convicted.

"I just want to apologize," Rodriguez said. "Sorry for this."

When Rodriguez entered the game in the ninth inning, he heard mostly boos from what remained of the announced crowd of 39,151. He pitched a scoreless inning.

"That's something that's out of my control," Rodriguez said of the boos. "Only thing I can do is go out there and do my job and put a zero on the board, and that's what I did."

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he spoke with Rodriguez Saturday afternoon and found the closer to be genuine and contrite. "I'm not a psychologist or anybody like that, but from what I know and the experiences I've had with him, I take it as a very sincere apology," Manuel said.

Manuel also said Rodriguez was planning to apologize to teammates "individually," but as of an hour prior to the first pitch, Jeff Francoeur and Jose Reyes - two players whose family members witnessed the incident Wednesday night - said they had not received apologies. "I haven't heard yet," Francoeur said. "I imagine I will."

When Reyes was asked if he thought an apology from Rodriguez was coming, the shortstop said: "I don't know. Let's see what happens."

After the game, Rodriguez refused to discuss his plans to apologize individually to teammates. "That's something that's personal," he said. "I don't think I have to share that with you."

Angel Pagan added that Rodriguez "talked to some of the guys" and said that it might take Rodriguez some time. "I'm sure he'll do it the right way," Pagan said.

Having not even played catch since his arrest, Rodriguez asked to pitch last night. "I was a little stiff trying to warm up in the pen," he said. "It was three or four days without doing anything. But after my body got warm, everything got back to normal."

Court papers obtained by Newsday allege that Rodriguez pinned his fiancee's father, 53-year-old Carlos Peña, against a wall and punched him "multiple times in the face and head." The scene took place in front of several of his teammates' wives and kids.

Rodriguez was arrested after police were summoned, stayed overnight at Citi Field in custody and was arraigned Thursday afternoon at Queens Criminal Court. The judge ordered him to stay away from his fiancee, Daian Peña, and her father, forcing him to move out of his Upper Brookville home. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Rodriguez already has had several confrontations during his short Mets tenure.

Last season, he had to be pulled away from then-Yankees reliever Brian Bruney during batting practice and also argued with then-Mets executive Tony Bernazard on a team bus.

On Opening Day this season, he had a shouting match with Washington's Willie Harris that nearly induced a bench-clearing brawl and he also had to be separated from Mets coach Randy Niemann in the bullpen during a game.

Rodriguez did not offer any details about his plans for anger management counseling, saying only, "I'm looking forward to being a better person."