Blue Jays designate pitcher who shared anti-LGBTQ+ post for assignment
The Toronto Blue Jays designated righthander Anthony Bass for assignment, as announced via Twitter. This transaction is notable because on May 29, Bass made the news for sharing a video on Instagram which promoted anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns to boycott Target and Bud Light for their Pride-themed promotions. He apologized the next day and deleted the post.
The Blue Jays have been heavily criticized for its response to the controversy over the past week and a half, from its expected issued statement to promises by Bass that he will work on understanding the impact of his social media posting.
Bass has been frequently booed by Jays fans in home games since the initial post, making the team's decision on Thursday all the more baffling. In what could be described either as tone-deaf, a unique form of a team disciplining its player for the controversy or both, Toronto had planned for Bass to throw out the first pitch on Friday - the team's Pride Night - to an activist in the LGBTQ+ community.
When asked by reporters prior to Thursday's home game, he said he stood by his beliefs. As told by USA Today's Steve Gardner:
Bass said he chose to delete the post because "it was the right thing to do," and because he didn’t want it to be a distraction to the team.
“But I stand by my personal beliefs,” Bass said, “and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? Also, I mean no harm towards any groups of people."
It probably didn't help that Bass wasn't exactly lights out on the mound. The 35-year-old was sporting a 4.95 ERA, allowing 19 hits and 11 runs (just throwing 19 strikeouts) across 22 appearances this season.
The move corresponds with Mitch White coming off the 60-day injured list and being activated for Friday's game.
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