Update: Blue Jays Player Suspended After Yelling Slur At Brave

Update: Major League Baseball suspended Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar after he yelled a slur at an Atlanta Braves pitcher this week, Patch has learned. Pillar will miss two games as punishment, the league announced late Thursday.

He also apologized to the Braves pitcher Jason Motte, the Blue Jays and "most importantly, to the LGBTQ community" for using "a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today."

The apology follows one issued by the Blues Jays organization, which said in a statement they "are extremely disappointed" in Pillar's behavior.

WEST COBB, GA -- An ugly incident in which a Toronto Blue Jays outfielder purportedly uttered a homophobic slur at an Atlanta Braves player is being investigated by Major League Baseball, the league announced Thursday, according to multiple news reports.

In an incident that happened Wednesday night, Blue Jays' Kevin Pillar appeared to yell the slur at Braves pitcher Jason Motte after he was struck out in Toronto's 8-4 loss. The game grew contentious several times during play as benches cleared twice, including an instance when Motte quick-pitched Pillar.

The Blue Jays organization released a statement Thursday, saying that they were "extremely disappointed by the comments made by Kevin Pillar following his at-bat during the 7th inning of last night's game."

For his part, Pillar, 28, apologized after the game for the slur, according to news outlets.

“It was immature, it was stupid, it was uncalled for,” Pillar said after the game, according to Sports Illustrated. “It’s part of the game, it’s just, I’m a competitive guy and heat of the moment. Obviously I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do to reach out and apologize and let him know he didn’t do anything wrong, it was all me.”

The Blue Jays said that, "We know Kevin to be a respectful, high-character individual who we hope will learn from this situation and continue to positively contribute and live up to our values on and off the field."

Two weeks ago, Pillar was recognized as MLB's Honda Player of the Month in online fan voting. In April, he batted .301(31-103) with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and eight RBI.

The Braves played the Blue Jays Thursday night at SunTrust Park, losing 9-0. The Braves were without star Freddie Freeman, who injured his left wrist and was put on the disabled list. He is expected to miss eight weeks, according to news reports.

Image via MLB