Toronto Blue Jays Closer Roberto Osuna Charged with Assault in Toronto

TORONTO (AP) — All-Star closer Roberto Osuna of the Toronto Blue Jays was charged with assault Tuesday and put on administrative leave by Major League Baseball, preventing him from playing for at least a week.

Toronto Police declined to say whether it was domestic assault. Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu said the charge is for one count of assault but provided no further details.

Osuna, who is from Mexico, is scheduled to appear in court June 18.

Administrative leave is not considered discipline. Osuna goes on the restricted list and continues to receive his $5.3 million salary, but is ineligible to play.

The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Jake Petricka from Triple-A Buffalo to take Osuna's spot on the roster.

The leave lasts seven days, giving the commissioner's office time to investigate. The commissioner's office can request an extension, and Osuna could challenge the leave before Mark Irvings, baseball's independent arbitrator.

Commissioner Rob Manfred also has the option of suspending Osuna either without pay, or with pay pending the resolution of legal proceedings — a penalty that later could be converted to without pay. Osuna could challenge any discipline before Irvings.

In a statement, MLB said it "takes all allegations of this nature very seriously" and is investigating. The Blue Jays released a statement saying they "fully support" MLB's decision to place Osuna on leave.

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