ARBITRATOR IMMEDIATELY REINSTATES DODGERS’ BAUER
Trevor Bauer was reinstated Thursday by Major League Baseball’s independent arbitrator, allowing the pitcher to resume his career at the start of the 2023 season.
The 31-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers star was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on April 29 for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy after a San Diego woman said Bauer beat and sexually abused her last year, an accusation the pitcher denied.
The players’ association filed a grievance on behalf of the former Cy Young Award winner, and a three-person panel headed by independent arbitrator Martin Scheinman started hearing the case on May 23.
Scheinman upheld a 194game suspension rather than Manfred’s intended 324-game penalty but reinstated Bauer immediately, assigning 50 games to cover part of the lengthy time Bauer was put on administrative leave while MLB investigated during the 2021 season and early this year.
“Can’t wait to see y’all out at a stadium soon!” Bauer wrote on Twitter.
Bauer will lose more than $37 million in salary for the final 144 games of last season and for the first 50 games of next season, through May 23. The lost salary next year is effectively a clawback from part of his administrative leave, when he continued to receive pay.
MLB said Scheinman affirmed that Bauer violated the domestic violence policy.
“While we believe a longer suspension was warranted, MLB will abide by the neutral arbitrator’s decision, which upholds baseball’s longest-ever active player suspension for sexual assault
or domestic violence,” MLB said in a statement. “We understand this process was difficult for the witnesses involved and we thank them for their participation.”
While Scheinman issued his award to the parties, a full written decision is not expected until later. The
panel included MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and union assistant general counsel Bob Lenaghan.
“While we are pleased that Mr. Bauer has been reinstated immediately, we disagree that any discipline should have been imposed,” Bauer’s representatives, Jon Fetterolf, Shawn Holley and
Rachel Luba, said in a statement. “That said, Mr. Bauer looks forward to his return to the field, where his goal remains to help his team win a World Series.”
The players’ association declined comment on Scheinman’s decision.
Myers to Cincinnati
Wil Myers, the 32-yearold who played witht he Padres since 2016, agreed to a one-year deal to join the Cincinnati Reds and play half his games at cozy Great American Ball Park.
Myers’ deal with the Reds, according to ESPN, is a one-year, $7.5 million deal that could jump as high as $9.5 million this year and includes a mutual option for 2024.
The Padres also confirmed their agreement with RHP Seth Lugo, a one-year deal that includes a player option for 2024 that would bring the total value to $15 million. With Lugo signed, the Padres have just two open spots on their 40-man roster.
Drury to Angels
Infielder Brandon Drury has agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract with the Angels.
Drury hit a career-best 28 homers last season while playing for Cincinnati and the Padres. He won the Silver Slugger award as a utility player. Drury gets $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons.
Notable
The Cubs agreed to a contract with Gold Glovewinning catcher Tucker Barnhart pending a physical. Barnhart’s deal includes a $3.25 million salary for 2023 and a $3.25 million player option for 2024.
• Veteran catcher Curt Casali reached a $3.25 million, one-year deal with Cincinnati with a mutual option for the 2024 season.