Jarred Cosart apologizes for using a homophobic slur on Twitter

By D.J. ShortFeb 10, 2014, 9:31 PM EST
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Astros right-hander Jarred Cosart learned a valuable lesson today on how to handle himself on social media.

Cosart was joking around with Phillies minor league outfielder (and former teammate) Tyson Gillies on Twitter and used a homophobic slur to describe Canadian pop musician Justin Bieber. The tweet was soon deleted and he eventually issued the following apology:

https://twitter.com/JarredCosart/status/433022331771191296

https://twitter.com/JarredCosart/status/433022463350702080

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow issued the following statement on Cosart’s actions:

“It’s something we take very seriously and we definitely don’t condone that type of language from our players.”

Cosart made his major league debut last season and posted a 1.95 ERA and 33/35 K/BB ratio over 10 starts. The 23-year-old should enter spring training with a rotation spot to lose.

Report: Angels to sign Cody Allen

Jason Miller/Getty Images
By Bill BaerJan 17, 2019, 11:33 PM EST
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Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Angels and reliever Cody Allen are in agreement on a one-year contract, pending a physical. The value of the contract is not yet known.

Allen, 30, was looking for an opportunity to close and the Angels can certainly provide that. He will likely be the favorite to break camp as the closer. 2018 was the roughest year of his career, however, as he finished with a 4.70 ERA, 27 saves, and a 80/33 K/BB ratio in 67 innings. Among Allen’s six full seasons, his 27.7 strikeout rate and 11.4 percent walk rate represented career-worsts. FanGraphs also shows him losing nearly a full MPH on his average fastball velocity.

The Angels lost closer Keynan Middleton to Tommy John surgery early last season and he likely won’t return until the second half of the 2019 season. Blake Parker, who handled save situations in Middleton’s place, was non-tendered by the Angels in November and ended up signing with the Twins. The closer’s role is Allen’s to lose, it seems.