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Jays trade suspended pitcher Osuna to Astros
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Toronto Blue Jays dealt
suspended pitcher Roberto Osuna to the Houston Astros on Monday in exchange
for three pitchers, including right-hander Ken Giles.
The 23-year-old Mexico native is eligible to return on Sunday from a 75-
game ban under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he considered the team’s fan base
when making the decision to trade closer Osuna but did not go into detail.
“We do feel a responsibility to the fans and we do feel empathy for the
fans and we ultimately work for the fans,” Atkins said. “We are human and it
is very difficult for accusations not to influence us in some way.”
Osuna’s lawyer Domenic Basile said he wants people to understand that his
client still has to go through the legal process.
“I remind everyone that he is presumed innocent and that our focus is to
continue to deal with his court matter,” Basile said.
Osuna has not pitched in the majors since May 6, two days before he was
put on leave when he was charged with one count of assault on a woman in
Toronto. He’s expected to plead not guilty in a Canadian court on Wednesday.
The Jays also received minor league right-handed pitchers Hector Perez and
David Paulino in the trade.
Elsewhere, the New York Yankees shored up their pitching for a playoff
stretch run by acquiring right-hander Lance Lynn from the Minnesota Twins.
Lynn will fill the role of relief pitcher and joins Luis Cessa as
insurance for a starting rotation that includes Luis Severino, Masahiro
Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and newly acquired J.A. Happ.
The Yankees gave up first baseman Tyler Austin and right-handed pitcher
Luis Rijo for Lynn.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1120 hrs