MIAMI _ Dee Gordon was contrite, though not forthcoming, about what led to the suspension that cost him half of a season of his major league career.
The Marlins' All-Star second baseman said he made a mistake and accepted responsibility for violating Major League Baseball's substance-abuse policy Thursday when he returned to the Marlins after an 80-game ban.
The crowd at Marlins Park cheered when Gordon came to bat for the first time in the majors since April 28 at Los Angeles.
Gordon issued an apology to fans via Twitter (FlashGJr) earlier in the day as well as to his teammates before taking his place in his usual place in the leadoff spot as the Marlins began a four-game series against the Cardinals.
"I talked to my teammates pretty much on a daily basis," he said. "I definitely went in there and I told them thank you for keeping their end of the bargain. I asked them to keep it close until I got back, and that's exactly what they did. Now I've got to keep my end of the bargain, I've got to help us get to the playoffs."
The Marlins began the night in the second wild-card spot in the National League. They went 45-35 in the absence of the reigning batting and stolen-base champion.
"We're excited to get him back," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "I think he's felt support from the players. I think the organization, obviously there was disappointment early on.
"He's been remorseful about it. Now we just move forward. He's paid his price of the 80 games."
Gordon tested positive for two banned substances, exogenous testosterone and clostebol during spring training.
He offered no insights about what he may have ingested or why, in his video statement or in addressing the media beyond vague references to becoming "complacent," and accepting blame for testing positive.
"You've got to hold yourself accountable for your standards of living and training. I didn't hold myself accountable for any of that," Gordon said in the 3{-minute video.
Regarding the video, he said, "That was really heartfelt, it was written by me and I didn't shy away from it. Like I said, I made a mistake and it is what it is. It's over now. I've got to play baseball tonight, I've got to play baseball here for the rest of my career."
Asked to elaborate on his mistake, Gordon said, "I'm pretty sure I told you I made a mistake. We're a forgiving people and there's nothing more I can do other than tell you it's my fault, there's no one else's fault. I'm not going to go into anything else about it.
"It's my fault. As a professional athlete and as a man, you get complacent and things happen, and that's what happened."
Understandably, Gordon is eager to get back to the routine of baseball. Although he was a popular figure in the clubhouse, it remains to be seen how he fits back into the culture and good graves of his teammates on a team that has emerged as a postseason contender in his absence.
"I think Donnie was clear, talking about how he was expecting different opinions. But everybody was on the same page, like always," third baseman Martin Prado, one of the leaders of the club, said regarding "receiving our friend and our teammate.
"It's not judgment or pointing fingers. This is a game of opportunity. We support him, and I think he deserves a second chance."
Gordon's return comes with uncertainties He had played only 21 games before the suspension, which began April 29. He must attempt to attain midseason form just as the playoff race is heating up.
Even Mattingly pointed out, "You don't know what happens because when he comes back somebody doesn't play as much. Obviously, Dee has been a really, really good player and he does a lot of things for you, brings a different dimension to our club. Hopefully he gets in the groove and gets right into the mix."
Derek Dietrich, who got most of the playing time at second, started at first base Thursday. But that is temporary as Justing Bour, out since July 2 with an ankle sprain, will begin an injury rehab assignment Friday and is expected to return next week.
Veteran utility player Don Kelly was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Gordon's return.
While Gordon's reception from the home crowd was friendly _ about the same as for any at-bat _ he can expect to be the target of taunts on the next trip to Chicago and elsewhere.
"He's going against a lot of things," Prado said. "He's been gone for a while, but he's always been part of this process of getting better. It's a team thing. I don't think there's _ he's a big part of the success of the team the last year and a half.
"He's our brother, man, we support him and we're happy to have him again."
One issue that won't go away is that the Marlins will have him only through the end of the regular season. If the Marlins win the division title or earn a wild-card spot, he will not be eligible to play in the postseason.
Asked how that will affect how he uses Gordon the remainder of the season, Mattingly said, "I'm going to put a lineup out there every day that we think gives us the best chance to win. We'll take care of today and not worry about tomorrow because we've kind of learned over the years, tomorrow has got a set of worries all of its own."
Although clearly uncomfortable discussing his fall from grace, Gordon did appear remorseful and made it clear he felt humbled.
"I worked my behind off this whole suspension, man. But the silver lining is, it showed me how much I love, respect and miss the game of baseball and my teammates, and it's motivated me to play as hard as I can."
In the video he apologized to kids whom he failed as a role model and urged fans, "Don't give up on me. I will earn your trust and your support by my play and my actions in the community."
