Astros dispute report of exec's Osuna-related outburst at female reporters

The Houston Astros are disputing a report from Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated that Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman shouted at female reporters regarding the team's acquisition of closer Roberto Osuna following Saturday's ALCS win.

According to Apstein, Taubman turned to three female reporters in the Astros' clubhouse and yelled "Thank god we got Osuna! I'm so f------ glad we got Osuna!"

He did this six times, Apstein reports.

Houston acquired Osuna in a July 2018 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays while the closer was serving a suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.

The Astros declined Apstein's original request for comment and did not make Taubman available for an interview. They issued a statement Monday night shortly after the story was published.

"The story posted by Sports Illustrated is misleading and completely irresponsible," read the statement, obtained by Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. "An Astros player was being asked questions about a difficult outing. Our executive was supporting the player during a difficult time.

"His comments had everything to do about the game situation that just occurred and nothing else - they were also not directed toward any specific reporters.

"We are extremely disappointed in Sports Illustrated's attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist."

Two reporters took to Twitter to corroborate Apstein's report:

Sports Illustrated released a statement of its own on Tuesday in response to the Astros, backing the reporting of Apstein and the accuracy of what she wrote.

Osuna, 24, was arrested and charged with one count of assault in Toronto in May 2018 while still a member of the Blue Jays. After the alleged victim returned to Mexico and refused to testify against him, the charge was dropped in exchange for Osuna's agreement to a peace bond that contained several conditions. Major League Baseball suspended Osuna for 75 games.

Taubman joined the Astros in 2013 and was promoted to his current role earlier this year. He previously served as the team's senior director of baseball operations.

His reported outburst occurred shortly after Osuna allowed a game-tying home run in Game 6 of the ALCS.