John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Blue Jays Reliever Anthony Bass Designated For Assignment
The Blue Jays have designated Anthony Bass for assignment.
The move comes after the 35-year-old reliever shared an anti-LGBTQ video on his social media last week. The transaction signals the end of Bass' time in the Toronto organization, as GM Ross Atkins said it is "not a realistic outcome" for Bass to stay with the team, even if he clears waivers.
"This was a baseball decision to make our team better," GM Ross Atkins said.
Bass was initially not punished for his sharing of the anti-LGBTQ video, as Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins "felt his apology and his accountability to be authentic," Atkins said Thursday. Atkins met with the media again on Friday afternoon to explain what changed.
"Performance was a large aspect of this decision," Atkins said. "Distraction was a small part of it, and you know, something that we had to factor in."
After initially reading a prepared apology statement the day after sharing the video, Bass met with the media and answered questions on Friday. While Bass apologized again for any harm caused by his post, he also restated the video represented his personal beliefs and his belief that it was not a hateful clip.
“What I’ve learned through this process, especially representing an organization in the Toronto Blue Jays and a community, is that my focus from the get go should have been doing my job and accepting of everyone’s decisions and views in life,” Bass said. “Through this process, I’ve learned that, moving forward, I will definitely know better than to post my personal beliefs on social media platforms.”
Bass' departure from the Jays comes ahead of the team's Pride Weekend festivities, where the reliever was expected to catch a ceremonial first pitch on Friday. Kevin Gausman will now catch the pitch in his place.
The Blue Jays have activated pitcher Mitch White to the 26-man roster to replace Bass.
