MLB suspends Joyce 2 games for directing homophobic slur at fan

Major League Baseball announced Saturday that Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce has been suspended for two games without pay for directing a homophobic slur toward a fan during Friday's game in Anaheim.

Joyce's lost salary will be donated to PFLAG, and MLB also announced he will be taking part in a "public outreach initiative" with the organization.

The 33-year-old Joyce was heckled by a fan in the eighth inning Friday night and responded by uttering the slur, which was overheard by an Associated Press photographer.

On Saturday, hours before the suspension was announced, Joyce issued a public apology via his Twitter account.

In regard to last night's incident, I first and foremost want to sincerely apologize to the fans, the Oakland A's, MLB and the most importantly the LGBTQ community for my comments and actions. A fan yelled vulgar and obscene words about me and my family and I let my frustrations and emotions get the better of me. I am beyond sorry for the inappropriate language that I used and understand and agree that those words should NEVER come out of someone's mouth no matter the situation. Anyone who knows me will tell you that incident it is not reflective of me as a person, how I treat others, how I live my life and that those hurtful words are not my views. I fully support and hope to help the LGBTQ community with their efforts in being treated fairly and intend to let my actions speak louder than anything more that can be said about this truly regrettable moment.

The Athletics also issued a statement Saturday afternoon expressing their disappointment in Joyce's comments, insisting "this language is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

"We appreciate that Matt is contrite about his conduct," the Athletics continued, "and know he will learn from this incident."

In mid-May, the Toronto Blue Jays suspended Kevin Pillar two games for directing a homophobic slur toward Jason Motte after the Atlanta Braves pitcher struck him out. That suspension was handed down by the Blue Jays organization while also in consultation with the MLB Players Association and commissioner Rob Manfred.

In 2012, infielder Yunel Escobar - then with the Blue Jays, and now a member of the Angels - was handed a three-game ban by the Blue Jays for writing a homophobic slur in Spanish on his eye black.