Boston Red Sox pitcher Hector Velazquez apologized Tuesday over video footage posted on his Instagram account that showed images of a building that has become symbolic of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima along with a graphic of a bomb and subtitles that read "Atomic bomb!"

At a press conference held before Game 4 of the Japan MLB All-Star Series at Mazda Stadium in the western Japan city, Velazquez bowed his head and said he was regretful of his action.

[MLB/Getty/Kyodo]

The Mexican-born major leaguer explained that he was trying to tell his friends in his home country what had happened in Hiroshima but the way he went about it was inappropriate.

The footage showing the Atomic Bomb Dome and its surrounding area has reportedly been deleted from Instagram.

The Yomiuri Shimbun Group, which hosts the all-star series, said in a statement that the incident was "intolerable" as it hurts the feelings of the victims of the atomic bombing among many others.

The apology came a day after some members of the MLB team including manager Don Mattingly visited the Peace Memorial Park and laid flowers in front of the cenotaph in Hiroshima.

(Video footage posted on Velazquez's Instagram account)

(Velazquez at a press conference in Hiroshima)[Pool]