Emotions get best of Valdespin after demotion

NEW YORK -- The latest chapter of Jordany Valdespin's rocky big league career involved the utility player throwing a clubhouse tantrum Saturday following his demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas.

"He wasn't happy," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "When he left the office, he was angry. The easiest way to put it is: I went out to the clubhouse to calm him down. It was not accepted very well by the other 24 guys, I can tell you that, too. We all know he's an emotional kid. That's how he plays, and that's how he goes about things."

Minutes after Saturday's game, Collins called Valdespin into the visiting manager's office at PNC Park. There, he and general manager Sandy Alderson broke the news that Valdespin was headed to Triple-A to make room for reliever Scott Atchison, who was coming off the disabled list.

Collins confirmed a Star-Ledger report that Valdespin grew irate after that, though he claims he did not hear the infielder curse him out.

"Now, I can't say what he did on the plane," Collins said. "I can't say what he did walking out of the clubhouse. I wasn't there."

Acknowledging the incident on Twitter early Monday morning, Valdespin did not apologize.

"Though I try not to get upset about things that are written about me, its tough for me not to react to the article about me disrespecting my manager," wrote Valdespin, who hit .188 with a .250 on-base percentage in 133 at-bats. "I was very upset with myself for not helping the team when I was given the opportunity to play. I respect my manager organization's decision to send me to triple A and am working very hard to become a better player and teammate and will hopefully be back to NY soon to do whatever is needed of me."

It was just the latest in a string of misbehavior and insubordination from Valdespin, who has been disciplined several times throughout his Major and Minor League careers.

"You expect Jordany to understand it because he's been sent down before," Collins said. "He didn't get it."