Bauer, shunned by MLB, introduced by Japanese team

Cards sign Mikolas to 3-year deal

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN » The Trevor Bauer era in Japan began Friday at an introductory news conference, where he pulled a blue and white Yokohama DeNA BayStars jersey over a white shirt and red tie.

The 2020 Cy Young Award winner is in Japan on a one-year deal that could let him prove himself and return to Major League Baseball, where he was unable to find work this season even after an arbitrator reduced his unprecedented 324-game suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy.

He was cut in January by the Dodgers, who still owe him $22.5 million this season.

Not a single Japanese reporter asked him about his suspension in the United States or the circumstances surrounding it.

The only question about it came from The Associated Press. Bauer disputed the fact the question suggested he was suspended from the major leagues. “I don’t believe that’s accurate,” he said of the suspension. “But I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to pitch again. I’ve always wanted to play in Japan.”

He said afterward the suspension dealt technically with issues of pay, and he said he had contacted major league teams about playing this year. He would have been eligible, but he did not say if he had offers.

Bauer said his goal with the BayStars was to strike out 200 and keep his average fastball velocity at 96 mph — the latter is why he’ll wear No. 96. He said he is also working on a better changeup pitch he called a “split change-up.”

He said he hoped to play by mid-April — about two weeks after the Japanese season begins.

“I’ve been doing a lot of strength training and throwing,” he said. “I didn’t really take any time off. So I’ve had a year and a half of development time. I’m stronger than ever. More powerful than ever.”

ST. LOUIS » Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran righthander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract with the Cardinals that will carry through the 2025 season.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his career next Thursday. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season.