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Toronto Blue Jays: Roberto Osuna to return as closer after suspension

By David Morassutti

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 03: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on after giving up a home to Welington Castillo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning to tie the game during a baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 03: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on after giving up a home to Welington Castillo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning to tie the game during a baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed that Roberto Osuna will return to his role as the team’s closer following his suspension.

It appears that the Toronto Blue Jays have their minds made when it comes to Roberto Osuna‘s role with the team when he returns from his suspension.

The Blue Jays closer was recently suspended 75 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s joint domestic violence policy and has been out of the lineup since May 8.

General manager Ross Atkins addressed the media on Friday and spoke about where the team stands on Osuna’s situation.

"“Roberto is our closer,” said Atkins to reportets. “We’re running a baseball team and our goal is to win championships. Roberto could potentially be very much a part of that. The word that comes to mind for me when you talk about that is empathy. That’s not just for Roberto, that’s for everyone involved, that’s where we’re going to spend our time and energy, on being empathetic and trying to understand. We don’t have a background in investigations.”"

Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi wonders whether Blue Jays fans will accept the 23-year-old back when the time comes for him to return to the lineup.

His departure put the team in a tough predicament as it left them without their most effective reliever and once he returns it’ll bring some unwanted attention. It appears that the Blue Jays are prepared for that possibility.

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“It’s a balance for sure and it’s something we take seriously and forever will take very seriously,” said Atkins to Davidi. “It’s been extremely challenging for us to handle regardless of what the actual verdict is, it’s just the accusation and balancing that is extremely difficult for us.”

That’s where the team has to tread carefully as the next court proceeding on July 9 could provide more insight into how the team will operate going forward.

The league suspended Osuna without knowing the outcome of the court case which they are within their rights to do but the Blue Jays would rather wait to see how that plays out.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Toronto could attempt to trade Osuna in the offseason and it’s easier to do that if team’s know that the legal issues are behind him and he can still perform.

Next: Who is Santiago Espinal?

He’s been working at the team’s training complex in Florida and could go on a rehab assignment closer to his return date.

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