Mets GM Omar Minaya says he apologized to reporter for remarks during press conference

Minaya says he apologized to reporter

NEW YORK — Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday he apologized to a beat reporter for questioning his motives and credibility during a bizarre press conference.

Minaya said he had a good meeting with New York Daily News reporter Adam Rubin on Wednesday. But the GM didn’t retract his remarks when asked repeatedly if he stood by his critical comments Monday while announcing the firing of executive Tony Bernazard.

“Me and Adam had a conversation, we had a conversation that stays between us,” Minaya said in the Mets’ dugout before New York’s day-night doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies. “I’m very comfortable that in the conversation and my apology to Adam, and, as I said before, those are comments that I should not have made.”

Rubin did not immediately respond to a phone message and e-mail seeking comment.

Minaya’s job security has come into question in the wake of a series of embarrassing articles written by Rubin about Bernazard, a top Minaya lieutenant and longtime friend.

After announcing Bernazard’s dismissal Monday, Minaya said Rubin had “lobbied” him and others in the front office, including Bernazard, for a job in player development. Rubin denied he had asked Minaya for a job and insisted he had merely sought career advice.

Minaya said Thursday he let his emotions get to him and said he felt bad about his remarks.

“I should have never talked about those things that day,” he said. “I should’ve never said those things and that’s what I told Adam and I apologize.”

Asked whether he believes Rubin was trying to get a job with the Mets, he said: “My thoughts were what they were. For me to think those things, those thoughts were wrong.”

Minaya also apologized to the club’s owners and fans, admitting the situation had become a distraction. Chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon acknowledged Tuesday that Minaya made a mistake by singling out Rubin. Wilpon said Minaya would remain the GM but also put him on notice, saying “ownership is not happy with the direction of the team.”

The front-office mess had cast a shadow over an encouraging week for the Mets, who carried a four-game winning streak into Thursday’s doubleheader and had received a couple of encouraging reports about their injured stars.

Center fielder Carlos Beltran, on the disabled list since June 22 with a bone bruise on his right knee, said Wednesday he hopes to return in two to three weeks. Former closer Billy Wagner could start a rehab assignment Saturday after missing the entire season following elbow surgery.

“I heard he was pitching awfully well,” manager Jerry Manuel said.

Manuel wasn’t anticipating any major moves ahead of Friday’s non-waiver trade deadline but Minaya said he was continuing to work the phones, even with the controversy swirling around him.

“I’ve been calling around. We have some ideas,” he said. “The fact is it is a distraction but as far as on the baseball side for the past couple of days I’ve been talking to teams.”

NOTES: The Mets recalled C Robinson Cancel from Triple-A Buffalo and designated RHP Elmer Dessens for assignment. Manuel said C Brian Schneider is banged up and Omir Santos would be behind the plate for both doubleheader games. … 2B Luis Castillo wasn’t in the lineup for the opener with his wife due to give birth. Alex Cora started at second and Manuel said Castillo might be back in time for the second game.