Nationals' Jonathan Papelbon talked out of wearing 'guns' T-shirt

Closer Jonathan Papelbon apologized Friday to the Washington Nationals for the incident last September in which he choked outfielder Bryce Harper in the dugout for not hustling enough, but the team had to save the veteran pitcher from a fashion failure.

Papelbon was planning to send a message of another kind Friday.

According to the Washington Post, Papelbon was encouraged to change out of a cut-off T-shirt with arrows pointing to his biceps the words "Obama Can't Ban These Guns" across the front.

Papelbon was suspended the final four games of the 2015 season for the encounter. The volatile reliever, whose sharp tongue caused friction in previous professional stops with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, did take responsibility for the problem with Harper.

"I was in the wrong," he said. "Should have never went down that way, and I understand that. ... I've had three months to think about it."