Toronto Blue Jays designate pitcher Anthony Bass for assignment after anti-LGBTQ+ post

Pitcher Anthony Bass has been listed for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays 11 days after he shared an anti-LGBTQ+ message on social media.

The right-handed enlightener shared a post on his Instagram stories in May calling for anti-LGBTQ+ boycotts from Target and Bud Light for their support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The post described the sale of LGBTQ+ merchandise as “evil” and “demonic,” with both companies recently launching campaigns in support of the community.

Both companies are dealing with the fallout from those campaigns, including hostile and homophobic criticism and calls from LGBTQ+ activists not to give in to anti-LGBTQ+ groups. The fallout from Anheuser Busch’s decision to partner with actress Mulvaney caused the company to lose an astonishing $27 billion in just a few months.

The Blue Jays’ decision to designate him for assignment comes just hours before the first of the franchise’s two Pride nights at Rogers Center, where Toronto hosts the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Bass would catch Toronto LGBTQ+ activist leZlie Lee Kam’s ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s game against Minnesota as the Blue Jays celebrate their fourth annual Pride Weekend.

Bass has a 4.95 ERA in 22 appearances out of the bullpen this season. The Blue Jays have recovered pitcher Mitch White from the 60-day injured list in a matching roster.

Bass has since apologized, but claims he doesn’t believe the anti-LGBTQ+ social media post he shared was hateful.

He was booed by Toronto fans in his two home appearances since the apology.

“I totally get that,” Bass said. “I just want them to know I’m working hard on myself, a lot of self-reflection.”

However, Bass later said he didn’t believe the post, which described the sale of LGBTQ+ merchandise as “evil” and “demonic,” should be considered hateful.

‘I don’t,’ said Bas. That’s why I originally posted it. Looking back, I see how people would view it, so I apologised.’

Bass said he chose to remove the post because “it was the right thing to do” and because he didn’t want the team to be distracted.

“But I stand by my personal beliefs,” Bass said, “and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? I also mean no harm to groups of people.

“From the beginning, I should have focused on doing my job and accepting everyone’s decisions and views in life,” Bass added. “Through this process, I learned that. In the future, I will certainly know better than to post my personal beliefs on my social media platforms.”

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins first addressed the subject Thursday, shortly before Bass spoke.

While acknowledging that he was “personally hurt” by Bass’ post, Atkins said he accepted the apology the pitcher offered to him and manager John Schneider last month.

“I felt his apology and his responsibility were authentic, otherwise we would be talking about a different outcome, honestly,” Atkins said. “That was imperative for us to be together with how strongly we feel about the progress the Toronto Blue Jays have made in this community.

“It has to go on,” Atkins added. ‘I don’t think you can ever do enough. We will stay true to that commitment to make this environment as inclusive as possible.”

Workers hung rainbow flags at Rogers Center after Thursday’s victory over Houston to prepare the stadium for Friday’s celebration.