Last June, Los Angeles Dodgers‘ pitcher Trevor Bauer wound up under police investigation for assault, then faced a domestic violence restraining order over allegations of sexual assault and physical abuse and was placed on seven-day administrative leave by Major League Baseball. MLB has repeatedly extended that administrative leave since then, and maintained it after that order was denied last August and after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office decided not to pursue criminal charges against Bauer (seen above during a game last June) in February. And the league has now issued a full punishment against Bauer based on their own investigation: a 324-game (two full seasons) suspension beginning Friday.
Trevor Bauer has received a suspension for 324 games (representing two full seasons) without pay, effective today, for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 29, 2022
Whereas with settlements players have been credited days served for a suspension while on administrative leave, that is not the case with Bauer. His two-year suspension, which covers 324 games, starts today and would last for all of 2022, 2023 and into the 2024 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 29, 2022
This would be the longest suspension in history under that joint (MLB and MLBPA) domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. But appeals of decisions under that policy are allowed, and Bauer quickly put out a statement that he’ll appeal, making him the first player to appeal a decision under that since-2015 policy (the other 15 players punished under that policy have reached a settlement with the league that included waiving appeal rights). Here’s that statement:
In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy. I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 29, 2022
We’ll see what comes of that appeal. But if the decision is not voided or reduced, this suspension will run into the 2024 season, following the expiration of Bauer’s contract with the Dodgers after 2023.
[ESPN; photo from Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports]
