The Toronto Blue Jays’ move to designate right-handed pitcher Anthony Bass for Friday’s assignment was largely due to his performance on the field, while «distraction» factored into the decision, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said.
Toronto announced the move just hours before Friday night’s game against the minnesota twins and the start of your Pride Weekend celebration.
Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a statement to the media before playing the Milwaukee Brewers in their MLB game at Rogers Center on May 30, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
The 35-year-old pitcher faced a fierce backlash last week after sharing a video on social media encouraging Christians to join boycotts against Target and Bud Light.
ANTHONY BASS INCLUDED IN BLUE JAYS PRIDE CELEBRATIONS AFTER SHARING VIDEO SUPPORTING TARGET, BUD LIGHT BOYCOTS
Atkins told reporters Friday that «distraction» had played a role in Bass’s DFA, although his performance on the field had been the determining factor.
«There are a myriad of variables,» Atkins said before Friday’s game. «Performance is usually what drives, and performance was a big aspect of this decision. Distraction was a small part and something we had to take into account.»
When asked if Bass would still be on the team if his performance during the season 2023 it had been better, Atkins declined to say.
«We’re trying to build the best possible team that we can build,» Atkins said. «This was a baseball decision to improve our team.»
Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins speaks to the media during the Grapefruit League Spring Training Media Day at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex on Thursday, May 16. February 2023, in Dunedin, Florida. (Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Bass posted a 4.95 ERA in 20 innings for Toronto this season.
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The decision to remove Bass from the active roster came a day after reports indicated he would catch activist leZlie Lee Kam’s ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s game, which begins the fourth annual toronto Pride weekend celebration.
He also follows the controversy surrounding Bass by sharing a video on his Instagram Stories last week of a creator named Ryan Miller, who called on Christians to join boycotts against Bud Light and Target.
In the video, Miller read a Bible verse and stated that supporting such businesses results in «participating in the darkness that they are providing» and «pushing in children’s faces.»
Anthony Bass, number 52 of the Toronto Blue Jays, watches the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on August 7, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blue Jays defeated the Twins 3-2 in ten innings. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Bass apologized last week for the post, which he said was «hurtful to the Pride community.»
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Bass later told reporters on Thursday that he had shared the video because it «reflected my (Christian) beliefs» and that he did not view it as hateful.
«That’s why I originally posted it. When I look back, I could see how people can see it that way. And that’s why I apologized.»
Bass called the video a «distraction» before saying he stood up for his «personal beliefs.»
«The video itself, obviously, I deleted,» Bass said, according to The Athletic. «I felt like it was too much of a distraction, right? But I stand by my personal beliefs and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? But I also don’t mean to harm any group of people. And I felt like taking that.» the second time it was the right thing to do and not be a distraction. As a team, our job is to win baseball games. And that’s my approach.»
Paulina Dedaj of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.