A baseball player has been handed a two-game suspension by his club for making an anti-gay slur at an opponent during a game.
Kevin Pillar of the Toronto Blue Jays has issued an apology for making the comment towards the Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte, during a game between the sides on Wednesday night.
Footage of the incident shows Pillar shouting after he struck out at the end of the seventh inning while Motte was pitching. Players from both sides then entered the field of play.
It's believed that Pillar yelled at Motte after suspecting that he tried to quick-pitch him to get the strikeout.
The Blue Jays imposed the two-game suspension shortly after Pillar posted an apology message on social media:
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2017
The Blue Jays released a statement in relation to the matter:
Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays. pic.twitter.com/ASZuzUM6RM
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 18, 2017
The New York Times reports that Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins flew to Atlanta to apologise on behalf of the club and announce Pillar's suspension.
Atkins also said that the disciplinary action was deemed appropriate by Major League Baseball, and Commissioner Rob Manfred.
