MLB to Investigate Astros Executive’s Comments on Roberto Osuna

Major League Baseball will launch an investigation into the comments made by Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman about closer Roberto Osuna, the league announced Tuesday. 

As first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein, Taubman turned to three female reporters in the Astros clubhouse after they clinched the American League pennant and yelled several times, “Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so f------ glad we got Osuna!”

Osuna was arrested on domestic violence charges in May 2018 while a member of the Blue Jays. The charges were dropped but Osuna was suspended 75 games by MLB for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. Houston traded for Osuna just before last year’s trade deadline, while he was still serving the suspension. 

The Astros released a statement Monday night disputing Apstein’s reporting and calling it an “attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist.” Sports Illustrated released a statement early Tuesday afternoon standing by the report. In another statement issued later Tuesday, Taubman apologized and said he “used inappropriate language for which I am deeply sorry and embarrassed.”

“Domestic violence is extraordinarily serious and everyone in baseball must use care not to engage in any behavior—whether intentional or not—that could be construed as minimizing the egregiousness of an act of domestic violence,” MLB said in a statement issued minutes after Taubman’s. “We became aware of this incident through the Sports Illustrated article. The Astros have disputed Sports Illustrated’s characterization of the incident. MLB will interview those involved before commenting further.”