Astros' Osuna opens up about assault charge
It's been nearly four months since current Houston Astros right-hander and former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend in Toronto.
The 23-year-old recently opened up about the incident during an interview with USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale, divulging as much as he could with his court case still unresolved.
"No one knows what happened but obviously me," Osuna said. "Everybody is quick to judge me and say all kinds of things about it. I'm just waiting for everything to come out so people can really wait to see what happened. I would really like the fans, and everybody else, (to) learn what the media says is not true.
"The biggest thing for me, and it's sad to me, (is) how people are free to say whatever they want. They can just judge you, and they don't know you. Everybody is judging me for things they don't know. I don't like that.
"Hey, if I'm guilty, you can say whatever you want."
Osuna, who was traded to the Astros in July, has pitched in 11 games for Houston since serving a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.
He's since discussed his situation in a closed-door meeting with his new teammates and offered to answer any questions he was allowed to.
While most of this teammates plan to reserve judgment for when more of the case's details are revealed publicly, Osuna explained he's been frequently insulted by fans since returning to action, including slurs directed towards his mother.
"You can say anything you want to me," Osuna said. "None of what you say will hurt me because I know what happened. But don't talk about my mom. I might lose my mind one day if you try to say something to my mom. She has nothing to do with this."
Osuna's next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5. His lawyer is pushing for a peace bond, which could lead to his client's dismissal if he follows its terms.
If convicted, Osuna could face six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to Nightengale.