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Toronto Blue Jay Roberto Osuna will plead not guilty to assault: lawyer

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Toronto Blue Jay Roberto Osuna will plead not guilty to assault: lawyer
ABOVE: The lawyer for Roberto Osuna says his client plans to plead not guilty, return to baseball eventually. – Jun 18, 2018

Roberto Osuna’s lawyer says the Toronto Blue Jays closer will plead not guilty to assault.

Domenic Basile, who appeared on Osuna’s behalf at court on Monday, said the Crown has turned over a “substantive” amount of their evidence to him.

The 23-year-old pitcher was charged with one count of assault by Toronto police early last month.

Osuna, who earns $5.3 million per year, appeared in 15 games for the Jays earlier this season.

Major League Baseball put the Mexico native on paid administrative leave after his arrest and is renewing it on a weekly basis, Basile said. On Monday, the administrative leave was extended through June 25.

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Administrative leave is not considered discipline.

WATCH: Lawyer says Roberto Osuna to plead not guilty. Megan Robinson reports.

Click to play video: 'Roberto Osuna intends to plead not-guilty to assault charge, lawyer says'
Roberto Osuna intends to plead not-guilty to assault charge, lawyer says

Basile said Osuna has been splitting his time between Toronto and Florida, where he continues to workout.

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“I spoke to him this morning (and) he loves Toronto, he loves the Toronto Blue Jays and he wants to be back on the mound pitching for them,” Basile said of his client, who was released on bail in May.

“He is going to continue to work out and throw the ball and be ready to come back when he is authorized to be back and play by Major League Baseball.”

Osuna’s next court date is July 9. Basile said he will meet with the crown for pre-trial conferences beforehand.

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With files from Megan Robinson and Jessica Patton

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