even more important with tight end Rob Gronkowski gone

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler apologized for his role in a clubhouse scuffle with teammate Danny Valencia that landed Butler on the seven-day concussion DL, calling the incident something that could have been prevented on both sides.First off, I want to say to my teammates, I want to apologize for putting them through this because they didnt deserve this, Butler said Wednesday when speaking to the media, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. This was an issue between me and Danny.They didnt deserve this, the coaching staff didnt deserve this, the organization didnt deserve this.Butler suffered a concussion in a fight with Valencia on Friday after the third baseman punched him in the temple, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.While details of the fight have not been revealed publicly, the Chronicle reported Monday, citing multiple sources who were present, that it began before batting practice over what Butler apparently said to Valencia while an equipment representative was in the clubhouse.According to the Chronicle, Butler interrupted Valencias conversation with the equipment rep to say Valencia regularly uses spikes that are in breach of his contract, adding that the reps company should terminate Valencias endorsement deal.Words were exchanged between the two players, and Valencia punched Butler in the head during a brief fight, the Chronicle reported.It was one of those things, we both had equal fault in this, Butler said Wednesday. I definitely said some things you shouldnt, I definitely stepped in an area you shouldnt. That wasnt my business.Butler, 30, said he apologized to his As teammates individually, along with manager Bob Melvin and the front office. He did not have time to speak to Valencia, 31, ahead of Tuesdays game against Cleveland,?but planned to make it a priority.I know I regret what I did; I think he regrets what he did, Butler said. By no means do I think his intentions were to give me a concussion, I think thats fair to say.Butler and Valencia have been teammates in both Kansas City?and Oakland in parts of 2014 and 2015 and all of 2016. According to Butler, the two players go back and forth on each other every day, and some of that is me some days, some of thats him some days; most of the time its in good fun. Whenever youre doing that on a consistent basis, sometimes you get offended, sometimes youre having fun.Butler is eligible to come off the DL on Monday and is expected to take a concussion test over the weekend in St. Louis.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Dzanan Musa Jersey . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Drazen Petrovic Nets Jersey . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. https://www.netsrookiesshop.com/Wilson-Chandler-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Kenneth Faried Jersey . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Theo Pinson Nets Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Things just keep getting better for rookie Malcolm Mitchell.The rookie receiver the past two games has suddenly become an important part of the New England offense. Now comes a big Monday night stage.I know (theres) a lot of excitement around it, Mitchell said Thursday as the Patriots prepared for their home game against the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup of AFC division leaders. Its the only game on Monday night so Im looking forward to it.Tom Brady clearly has developed trust with the young player, who set Georgias receptions record in college with 174. Mitchell was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round.After accumulating just seven catches in the first nine games, Mitchell has 13 catches and three touchdowns in the past two weeks. His progression is now even more important with tight end Rob Gronkowski gone for the rest of the season with a back injury, Danny Amendola gone for the regular season with a high ankle sprain, and Martellus Bennett banged up, causing him to be used mostly as a blocker last week.I ffeel blessed to have an opportunity to be part of this organization, from the time they drafted me to now, he said.ddddddddddddsked if he feels added pressure in light of the injuries to teammates, Mitchell said: I just do what they tell me. Thats how I like to keep it, keep it that simple.He says being around veterans has been a big help.It just takes time to get used to any organization that youre new in, he said. Im still learning.Game notes Griff Whalen, the receiver/returner signed as a free agent with Amendola hurt, reported for his first workout. We havent seen much of anything from him. Well see how it goes, said coach Bill Belichick. Well see how he works into our receiver situation. Whelan, released by San Diego Nov. 22, caught two passes for 22 yards and returned four kicks for 56 in eight games for the Chargers this season.---For more NFL coverage: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '