Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Kevin Pillar has been suspended by the team for two games after directing a homophobic slur toward Atlanta Braves reliever Jason Motte in a game Wednesday night.Pillar, who issued an apology to the LGBTQ community on social media early Thursday afternoon, will sit out Thursday night against the Braves and Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.The incident occurred during the seventh inning of Toronto’s 8-4 loss to Atlanta, the third meeting between the two teams in as many days.Motte, the first pitcher to come out of the bullpen after starter Mike Foltynewicz’s six-inning outing, threw Pillar a quick pitch, striking him out and ending the inning with the Jays down by five runs. It is at this point that television replays showed a frustrated Pillar saying “faggot” to Motte.In a note posted on Twitter, Pillar admitted using “inappropriate language.” “By doing so I had just helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today,” he wrote. “I am completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have put the organization in this position.”He continued: “I have apologized personally to Jason Motte, but also need to apologize to the Braves organization and their fans, and most importantly, to the LGBTQ community for the lack of respect I displayed last night. This is not who I am and will use this as an opportunity to better myself.” In a club statement released shortly after Pillar’s apology, the Jays said they were “extremely disappointed” by Pillar’s comments. It echoed the centre fielder’s statement by apologizing to the LGBTQ community, fans and Major Leage Baseball as a whole. “In no way is this kind of behaviour accepted or tolerated, nor is it a reflection of the type of inclusive organization we would like to be.”The statement went on to call Pi ...
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