The Toronto Blue Jays named pitcher Anthony Bass for subpoena on Friday, a day after the right-handed reliever said he didn’t think an anti-LGBTQ post he shared on social media was hateful.
The move came hours before Bass was awarded Toronto LGBTQ activist LeZlie Lee Kam’s ceremonial first pitch ahead of Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins as the Blue Jays begin their fourth annual weekend of celebration. pride.
The team now has seven days to trade Bass or place him on waivers.
Bass apologized on May 30, a day after he shared a message on his Instagram account calling for a boycott of Target and Bud Light because of their support for the LGBTQ community. Both companies are dealing with the fallout from these campaigns, which have resulted in hostile and homophobic criticism, as well as calls from LGBTQ activists not to bow to pressure.
Bass, who has been booed by Toronto fans in his two home appearances since the apology, spoke to a group of media ahead of Thursday’s win over Houston, saying he was sticking to his ” personal beliefs”.
He also said he was “working hard” to educate himself, including meeting the executive director of activist group Pride Toronto.
Bass, 35, is a 12-year veteran who also played in Japan. He is 0-0 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 games.
