Lawyer says Osuna will plead not guilty to assault

TORONTO — A lawyer for former Toronto Blue Jay Roberto Osuna, who is charged with assault, took issue Wednesday with recent comments from the general manager of his client’s new team, the Houston Astros.

Domenic Basile, who appeared on Osuna’s behalf during a brief hearing in Toronto, said outside court that remarks from Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow about the pitcher being “remorseful” did not change anything for his client’s criminal case.

The 23-year-old Osuna was arrested in May and charged in connection with an alleged domestic incident.

The pitcher was traded to the Astros on Monday and Luhnow said the club is “confident that Osuna is remorseful, has wilfully complied with all consequences related to his past behaviour” and has proactively engaged in counselling.

Basile said any remorse on Osuna’s part involves the entire situation, which includes being traded and a 75-game suspension.

“I think he’s remorseful that the circumstances are what they are,” Basile said after Osuna’s case was put over to Sept. 5. “But at the end of the day in the criminal court ... his intention is to plead not guilty.”

The pitcher was suspended without pay for 75 games in June for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy and is eligible to pitch in the big leagues starting Sunday.