Osuna charged with assault, placed on leave

TORONTO -- Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was placed on administrative leave by the Commissioner's Office after being arrested and charged with assault on Tuesday.
Osuna was later released by the police and is scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on June 18. Major League Baseball confirmed it is "investigating the circumstances." Osuna's administrative leave is in accordance with the joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence Policy.
According to Toronto police spokesperson Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Osuna will appear at Old City Hall. No further details of the incident, or the female victim, were released in order to protect her identity.
"I think what we've seen over the last couple of years is that Major League Baseball has taken very strong stances on situations like this one," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. "The punishments have been strong in cases of guilty and not guilty.
"We support Major League Baseball in that effort and appreciate and respect everything they've done, not just to heighten awareness, but to understand this is much more than baseball, much bigger than just coming out here and trying to beat the Seattle Mariners."
Per the MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence Policy, MLB is allowed to place any player under investigation for domestic violence on paid leave for seven days. During the investigation proceedings, the player must appear for an interview, but the league also has the right to delay any disciplinary action until more information becomes available.
"It depends on the investigation, it depends on the information that comes," Atkins said. "I think there are scenarios where this leave could be extended. It could be shortened. It could be seven days. The seven days are the default, but it could be that he's active before that, or it could be extended, depending on the investigation."
Osuna is in his fourth season with the Blue Jays, and he has spent the majority of that time as the club's closer. He has appeared in 15 games this season, posting a 2.93 ERA with nine saves.
Toronto recalled right-hander Jake Petricka from Triple-A Buffalo to take Osuna's spot on the 25-man active roster. Petricka made one appearance for the Blue Jays earlier this season and allowed one run over 1 1/3 innings. He had a 1.13 ERA in five appearances with the Bisons.
"Hopefully there's nothing there -- I love the kid, not because of what he has done for us on the field, but because of who he is and my relationship with him over the years," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Osuna.
"But, really, society in general has to be a zero-tolerance policy. You have to protect the vulnerable and those who can't protect themselves a lot. Hopefully, when it's all said and done, he's back with us, it's behind him and things turn out fine."