Jays’ Osuna suspended for domestic violence
Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has agreed to a suspension through Aug. 4 under baseball’s domestic violence policy, discipline that will cause him to miss about half of the season.
Osuna has not pitched since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto. Major League Baseball said Friday the suspension is retroactive to May 8 and covers 75 games. Osuna will wind up missing 89 days, which would cost him about $ 2.54 million of his $ 5.3 million salary.
“I don’t have much of a reaction other than you take what MLB does and trust that and live with that and let it go through its course,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before Friday night’s loss to the Angels in Anaheim. “We knew something was coming down. Actually, it took a while. Hopefully, it all gets worked out on both sides and everyone gets the help they need and everything works out fine.”
Osuna will participate in a
confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program supervised by the joint policy board of MLB and the players’ association.
The 23- year- old Osuna has nine saves and a 2.93 ERA in 15 games this season and was an All- Star last year, when he had 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA.
Kershaw to return: Clayton Kershaw is set to return from the disabled list Saturday night, starting for the Dodgers in a marquee matchup against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain.
The three- time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple- A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans.
“It’s probably the best thing for him and for us,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday.
Roberts said rookie Caleb Ferguson, who had been slated to start Saturday, will be ready in reserve.
There’s rain in the New York forecast as well, but Roberts
said the Dodgers took all that into account. “From what I understand it’s going to be early and if there’s a delay, we have ample time to get him ready.” Harper in derby: Bryce Harper will participate in the Home Run Derby if he makes the National League All- Star team, the Nationals announced. The All- Star Game will be held July 17 at Nationals Park. The 25year- old outfielder is second in the voting among NL outfielders behind Nick Markakis of the Braves. Despite being in a slump that has dropped his average to .213, Harper entered play Friday leading the league in home runs ( 19). He last participated in the derby in 2013, his second year in the majors. Injuries: Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli was placed on the seven- day concussion DL. He left the Pirates’ June 9 road loss to the Cubs after being struck on the helmet and left side of his jaw by a foul tip off the bat of Jason Heyward. Cervelli passed the concussion protocol and played in six more games, but began feeling symptoms Thursday night. ... Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts left in the seventh inning of Boston’s comeback win over the visiting Mariners with a sprained index finger on his left hand. ... The Mariners optioned former A’s All- Star Ryan Cook to Triple- A Tacoma and activated reliever Nick Vincent ( strained right groin) from the 10- day DL. ... Dodgers shortstop Chris Taylor sat out because of a tight left hamstring but was available off the bench to hit. Fellow Dodgers infielder Chase Utley was reinstated from the 10- day DL after missing 19 games with a sprained left thumb. ... Marlins starter Jose Ureña was been placed on the 10- day DL list with right shoulder impingement. The Opening Day starter is 2- 9 with a 4.40 ERA. ... Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun missed his second consecutive game after receiving a cryotherapy injection in his troublesome right thumb Wednesday in Los Angeles. ... Angels starter/ outfielder Shohei Ohtani ( elbow) stood in the batter’s box in the bullpen and watched pitches to work on his timing while he’s on the DL. He’s also running to stay in shape. He’s scheduled to have his elbow re- evaluated Thursday.