Reliever Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s the latest development in a controversy that began last week when Bass shared a social media post that supported anti-LGBTQ boycotts.

Bass, who made a public apology last week for the post, had been scheduled to catch the ceremonial first pitch by LGBTQ advocate leZlie Lee Kam when the Jays hosted Minnesota on Friday night to kick off their Pride Weekend.

The Blue Jays said pitcher Kevin Gausman would catch the first pitch instead.

WATCH | ‘Distraction’ of Bass saga a factor in parting ways:

The decision to include Bass was met with criticism by some on social media.

Bass has a 0-0 record and 4.95 earned-run average over 22 appearances this season.

Toronto called up right-hander Mitch White in a corresponding roster move.

Bass had shared a since-deleted video post urging others to spurn Target and Bud Light over the support they showed for the LGBTQ community.

He said in a scrum that he initially did not think the video post — which described the selling of Pride-themed merchandise as “evil” and “demonic” — was hateful.

“That’s why I posted it originally,” he said. “When I look back at it, I can see how people can view it that way and that’s why I was apologetic.”

WATCH | Bass apologizes for Instagram post:

Blue Jays pitcher apologizes for sharing video endorsing anti-LGBTQ boycott

10 days ago

Duration 0:33

Anthony Bass, a relief pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays, apologized to the LGBTQ community for his ‘hurtful’ post and said he is working with resources from the organization to better educate himself.

‘Baseball decision’

Before Friday’s game, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the decision to cut Bass was primarily motivated by performance and not by the pitcher’s off-the-field circumstances.

“There’s a myriad of variables,” Atkins said. “Performance is usually the driving one and performance was a large aspect of this decision. Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in.”

Atkins refused to say whether Bass would still be on the team if his performance had been better.

“We’re trying to build the best possible team we can build,” Atkins said. “This was a baseball decision to make our team better.”

Atkins also said it was not “a realistic option” for Bass to land in Toronto’s minor league system.

“We won’t stand in his way to be with another organization,” Atkins said.

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Matthew Tkachuk is well-known around the NHL for his elite combination of skill and grit, one of the few superstars in the league who can affect the game in a variety of ways.

Tkachuk got a taste of his own medicine in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night when Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar caught him with a crushing hit in open ice early in the first period.

Tkachuk was slow to get up, stumbling to his feet before slowly skating over to the Panthers’ bench.

The 25-year-old remained in the game for his next shift on the power play, but was visibly uncomfortable. After speaking with trainers on the bench, Tkachuk was seen heading down the tunnel and remained there for the first of the opening frame. While the immediate concern for Tkachuk was a head injury, he was seen favouring his right shoulder on the bench.

He returned to play early in the second period and would finish the game.

And, as he has all playoffs long, Tkachuk came up clutch for the Panthers once again, despite being battered and bruised, tying the game at two goals apiece late in the third period to send Game 3 to overtime.

Florida would go on to win the game in overtime after Carter Verhaeghe‘s shot found its way to the back of the net with none other than Matthew Tkachuk screening Vegas goaltender Adin Hill.

Tkachuk dished out arguably the biggest hit of the postseason in Game 2 when his flattened Vegas star forward Jack Eichel in the second period.

Eichel would eventually return to the game and add an assist to his team-leading 22 points in the playoffs.

Tkachuk leads the Panthers in points with 24, playing a pivotal role in Florida’s unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final.

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