MIAMI GARDENS — Although Dontrelle Willis still supports fellow left-hander Scott Olsen, Willis says the suspended pitcher has one chore when he arrives today.
"I feel he has to apologize to us," Willis said. "Be sorry for your actions."
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Olsen, 23, was suspended for two days without pay by the organization after scuffling in the dugout with teammate Sergio Mitre on Sunday. Olsen (7-7, 5.15 ERA) pitched five innings but at times was frustrated and again allowed his temper to get the best of him.
It was the third time in his 161/2 months in the big leagues that Olsen has been involved in an incident with a teammate. He also has been fined this season for making an obscene gesture toward a fan in Milwaukee and last season was grabbed by then-manager Joe Girardi for a stern talk.
Mitre declined to comment Tuesday, as did manager Fredi Gonzalez and assistant General Manager Michael Hill. Calls to Olsen and his agent, Matt Sosnick, were not returned.
Willis has attempted to mentor Olsen.
"I'm very upset with the situation because I've been talking to him," Willis said. "He's going to learn. Hopefully this is something that hits home."
Willis believes Olsen has been misunderstood because of the incidents.
"He's a good kid," Willis said. "I know everybody makes him out to be some kind of bad guy and it hurts me. Things I have heard about him hurt me more than things I have heard about myself. He'll come back and I think he'll be better. The thing you can't do is lose the respect of your teammates."
Has he lost that respect?
"No. No. No. And I'll try my best not to let that happen," Willis said.
Added pitcher Josh Johnson: "We'll forgive if he apologizes to us."
