Roberto Osuna is nearing a return to his role as the Toronto Blue Jays closer.
Osuna was transferred to the Blue Jays' Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment, the team announced. The 23-year-old made three appearances with the Gulf Coast League and Dunedin Blue Jays recently, tossing three scoreless innings.
RHP Roberto Osuna rehab assignment has been transferred to Buffalo (AAA).
— Blue Jays PR (@BlueJaysPR) July 24, 2018
Osuna was suspended in late June for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. The right-hander had been on administrative leave since May after he was charged with assault on a woman. The suspension was retroactive to May 8 and he's eligible to be reinstated on August 5.
A hearing for Osuna's legal case is scheduled for August 1.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in late June that Osuna would remain the team's closer once he finished serving his suspension.
"Roberto Osuna is our closer," Atkins said. "I see no reason why he wouldn’t be."
Prior to his suspension, Osuna appeared in 15 games for the Blue Jays and posted a 2.93 ERA while converting nine of 10 save opportunities. From 2015-16, Osuna saved 75 games for Toronto and was named to the American League All-Star team in 2017.