Newcomb apologizes after offensive tweets surface following near no-hitter

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Moments after Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb came one strike away from throwing a no-hitter on Sunday, offensive tweets from 2011 on his Twitter account resurfaced on the social platform.

Newcomb said he saw the tweets had come to light once he returned to his locker after the game. He then asked the Braves to open the clubhouse to the media so he could answer questions and issue a statement.

"This is something that obviously can't be happening," Newcomb said, according to Kelsey Wingert of Fox Sports South. "I feel bad about it. I don't mean to offend anybody. I definitely regret it."

He added: "I felt that it would be good to address it right away and just let people know that I meant nothing by it. I didn't mean to offend anybody and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. I'll be smarter."

The Braves released a statement condemning Newcomb's tweets:

Newcomb's situation is similar to that of Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader, whose racist and homophobic tweets from 2011 and '12 came to light during the recent All-Star Game. Hader issued a public apology and was forced to undergo sensitivity training, but he was not suspended.