Osuna meets new Astros teammates

LOS ANGELES Roberto Osuna met his new Houston Astros teammates Sunday and addressed the club for 10 minutes in a closeddoor meeting as he comes off a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

The defending World Series champions acquired Osuna on Monday in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays while he was still serving his suspension. The reliever was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend on May 8 in Toronto. No details have been made public and the next court date is set for Sept. 5.

Speaking with reporters in the dugout, Osuna offered few details about the morning meeting in the Astros’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium and did not discuss the case pending against him. Osuna was added to the active roster before Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Los Angeles, with Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. going on the 10-day disabled list due to elbow discomfort.

“I was very happy to meet them and very happy to be a part of this team and be a part of this World Series championship team,” Osuna said through a translator. “I will do my best to win another World Series this year.”

Astros manager AJ Hinch said he wouldn’t hesitate to use Osuna, and would like to get the all-star closer into a game as soon as possible.

MLB handed Osuna the second-longest suspension since its domestic violence policy was enacted three years ago. The pitcher did not appeal.

When the Astros acquired Osuna from the Blue Jays before last Tuesday’s trade deadline, the move raised eyebrows in the clubhouse and around baseball after Houston had previously stated its no-tolerance policy regarding domestic violence.

The team released minor leaguer Danry Vasquez last spring after surveillance video surfaced showing him assaulting a woman.