Toronto Blue Jays Cut Pitcher for Not Being Pro-LGBTQ2S+ Enough

The Toronto Blue Jays have made headlines by cutting relief pitcher Anthony Bass for his views on traditional biblical morality, making him the first player in major-league history to be DFA’ed for not being pro-LGBTQ2S+ enough. Although Bass had a lackluster performance this year with a 4.95 ERA, he had a stellar 2022 season and had given up only two runs and struck out twelve in ten innings of work prior to the controversy. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins stated that Bass’s performance was the main factor in his release, but the “distraction” of his comments played a role. Bass had shared a video from a Bible-themed Instagram page supporting boycotts of Bud Light and Target, which sparked outrage. He apologized and promised to do better, but that wasn’t enough. The last straw came when he tried to explain himself again late last week. The demand on Bass wasn’t that he say bland and nice things, but that he repudiate part of his belief system as a Christian. The controversy has been wrongly referred to as “a distraction” and is considered something far more serious to the LGBTQ2S+ community. The Blue Jays have fully embraced Pride Month by hosting Pride-themed activities, photo opportunities, drag queen performances, and celebratory décor and atmosphere around the ballpark.