Blue Jays Pitcher Anthony Bass was removed from the team's roster on Friday afternoon. Bass shared a video that was against sexual minority individuals. .The team decided to make the change just one day after Bass said he still holds onto his “personal beliefs.” .This roster change comes shortly after he apologized for sharing an Instagram story where he encouraged people to boycott Target and Bud Light due to their support for the sexual minority community..On Friday, the Blue Jays announced starting pitcher Mitch White returned to the team after recovering from a right elbow injury..“To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment,” said the Blue Jays..Bass spoke to the media on Thursday night, saying “Everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? But also, I mean no harm towards any groups of people.”.“I felt like taking that down a second time was the right thing to do and not be a distraction to this team. Our job is to win baseball games and that’s my focus,” said Bass..Bass was scheduled to participate in the Blue Jay's Pride Night on Friday by catching the ceremonial first pitch. However, whether the Blue Jays will have Bass catch the pitch or make a change is unknown..A reporter asked Bass whether he believed the social media video he shared was hateful, and he replied, “I do not.”.“That's why I posted it originally. When I look back at it, I can see how people would view it that way and that's why I was apologetic,” said Bass..On Thursday, Bass had a meeting with the executive director of Pride Toronto. .The purpose of the meeting was to have a discussion and “unpack” his views..“I think it is a good second step, but it is not the end of the journey,” said Sherwin Modeste, Pride Toronto’s executive director, after the meeting. .“I see this as a continuation of learning and this was something that we agreed on.”.A week before, Bass said he was “truly sorry” to reporters as the post he shared was “hurtful to the Pride community.”
