Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday suspended pitching coach Mickey Callaway after five women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey wrote in a statement: "Late [Monday] we were made aware of the allegations reported in The Athletic. [Tuesday] morning we suspended Mickey Callaway and will work closely with MLB to conduct a full investigation."
The Athletic reported Monday night that Callaway made a number of unsolicited advances toward multiple women. The women, all of whom work in sports media, accused Callaway of sending lewd messages and commenting on their appearance.
The incidents occurred over at least five years, according to the report, and included Callaway's time with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Angels. He served as the Indians' pitching coach from 2013-17, and he managed the Mets during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
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"Rather than rush to respond to these general allegations of which I have just been made aware, I look forward to an opportunity to provide more specific responses," Callaway told The Athletic on Monday in an email. "Any relationship in which I engaged has been consensual, and my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful to any women involved.
"I am married and my wife has been made aware of these general allegations."
Callaway, 45, has initially denied wrongdoing, according to ESPN, which prevents the Angels organization from firing him without cause. The league and the Angels are investigating the allegations, with both hoping to wrap up the probe before the start of spring training.
The Athletic's recent story on Callaway comes two weeks after ESPN reported that former Mets general manager Jared Porter sent explicit and unsolicited text messages to a female reporter in 2016. Mets owner Steve Cohen fired Porter less than 12 hours after the report was published.
