The Los Angeles Dodgers assumed some risk when signing Trevor Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract prior to the 2021 season, but the club expressed confidence the polarizing personality would assimilate well and be a positive presence.
Then a few months into Bauer’s tenure with the Dodgers, he was accused of sexual assault and placed on administrative leave. MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) then continued to jointly agree on extending Bauer’s stay on the restricted list through the conclusion of the World Series.
Bauer was put back on leave prior to Spring Training beginning, and that too has been regularly extended. The latest instance had it expiring on Friday.
With the deadline having arrived, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced Bauer was suspended two years (324 games) without pay. Bauer announced his intention to appeal the ruling.
Although the Pasadena Police Department decided not to file criminal charges against Bauer, he faced potential punishment under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
There had been a long-held expectation Manfred would impose a lengthy suspension that would span multiple seasons and also not give the 31-year-old credit for time served. With that being the case, Bauer’s suspension — pending appeal — would span all of 2022 and 2023, and stretch into the 2024 season as well.
Bauer was said to have cooperated with the league during their investigation, but it’s unclear if he was interviewed by MLB officials. A recent petition to obtain a subpoena for his accuser’s cell phone records was denied by a judge.
That since has been followed by Bauer filing a defamation lawsuit against the San Diego woman. The defamation suit is the third Bauer has filed in the past two months, previously doing so against Deadspin and The Athletic for their coverage on the allegations brought forth.
How many game has Bauer missed?
Bauer missed 81 games last season while on leave, then 12 more in the playoffs and the initial 18 games of 2022.
Dodgers statement on Bauer
Having declined to comment throughout the Bauer investigation, the Dodgers lent their support to Manfred’s ruling.
“Today we were informed that MLB has concluded its investigation into allegations that have been made against Trevor Bauer, and the Commissioner has issued his decision regarding discipline,” the Dodgers said in a statement.
“The Dodgers organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault. We’ve cooperated fully with MLB’s investigation since it began, and we fully support MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, and the Commissioner’s enforcement of the Policy.
“We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner’s decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete.”
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