Los Angles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has been on paid administrative leave from the team since July 2 following the filing of a temporary restraining order against him by a woman who accused him of assault. Word came down today that Bauer will not return for the remainder of the 2021 MLB season and postseason.
Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will miss the remainder of the 2021 season and the postseason after MLB and the MLBPA agreed to extend his administrative leave, a league official told ESPN. @jonheyman reported earlier that Bauer was likely to be out for the rest of the year.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 10, 2021
The very dark allegations against Bauer include mentions of the pitcher choking a woman to unconsciousness, punching her in the head, and rape. The restraining order has already been lifted but Bauer is still under investigation by the Pasadena Police Department. A second accuser has also since come forward with claims of a similar incident in 2017 while Bauer played for the Cleveland Indians.
Per ESPN, Major League Baseball is not expected to make a decision on any potential suspension until the offseason.
Bauer released a statement on Friday through his co-agents, Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba:
“Today Mr. Bauer agreed to extend his administrative leave through the playoffs in a measure of good faith and in an effort to minimize any distraction to the Dodgers organization and his teammates. He continues to cooperate with the MLB investigation and refute the baseless allegations against him.”
As you might imagine, there were plenty of strong opinions and thoughts from MLB fans about the controversial and often-disliked pitcher and the decision to keep him out of the game for the remainder of the year.
suddenly having a great day 👍 https://t.co/Doi8IEjTQ5
— Sarah Griffin (@skg_18) September 10, 2021
Reminder that Trevor Bauer is a walking piece of garbage who should never pitch for MLB again
— mize’s glove enthusiast (@donniekellybaby) September 10, 2021
The notion that Trevor Bauer has ever done anything in good faith and not of his own self interest is laughable. https://t.co/NyJYvBMvJC
— Paul Swydan (@Swydan) September 10, 2021
The suspension gets the Dodgers off the hook for Bauer’s post-suspension salary this year. I have a better idea for saving money. Don’t sign players who’ve been accused of abuse & sexual assault. https://t.co/Os5mAG6WvB
— Wendy Thurm (@wendythurm) September 10, 2021
Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers before the season and was 8-5 before being placed on administrative leave. He will continue to be paid his agreed-upon salary while on administrative leave and can earn as much as $47 million in 2022 unless he’s suspended by MLB, which could impact the Dodgers’ requirements in the contract.
[Jeff Passan, ESPN]
