San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Bauer disputes claim of Ohio sexual assault
In his first public statement since being accused of sexual assault in a temporary restraining order filed in June, Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer denied another sexual assault allegation that surfaced in a story published by the Washington Post on Saturday.
The investigation by the Post outlines that an Ohio woman filed a temporary order of protection in June 2020 when Bauer pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. The Post reported that it obtained photos showing facial injuries that the woman’s attorney said Bauer caused by punching and choking her during sex without consent. The article also reports that the woman attempted to show police officers photos of her injuries in an incident at Bauer’s apartment in 2017.
“This is a continuation by the woman and her attorneys to make good on their threats to harm me by perpetuating false narrative,” Bauer said in a post on social media. “This has been a game to her from the beginning but my life is not a game and I won’t stand by idly and allow this conduct to continue.”
The report surfaced two days before a hearing to decide whether to keep in place another woman’s temporary restraining order against Bauer is to start in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The hearing could last up to four days.
Bauer hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since a California woman accused him of sexual assault in Pasadena and obtained a temporary restraining order against him in late June. Major League Baseball placed him on a seven-day paid administrative leave three days later. Since then, MLB and the players’ union have agreed to extend the leave multiple times. The two sides extended the leave Friday through Aug. 20, until after Bauer’s hearing.
MLB sought records of the 2017 incident in early July, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly, and is investigating the Ohio woman’s allegations. The Dodgers declined to comment Saturday.
Medical updates: Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left forearm, manager Jayce Tinlger said.
Pomeranz, placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, exited a game Tuesday after 14 pitches because of forearm tightness. He had earlier stints on the IL this season because of shoulder and forearms issues.
In 27 games, Pomeranz is 1-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 252⁄3 innings this season. Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias (calf contusion), Twins right-hander Michael Pineda (oblique strain), Cubs righthander Adbert Alzolay (hamstring issue), Mets pitcher Drew Smith (shoulder inflammation) and Marlins reliever Zach Pop (finger injury) were placed on the 10-day IL. Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker was placed on the IL due to health and safety protocols. It is unclear whether he tested positive for the coronavirus or is sidelined because of contact tracing.
Briefly: Nationals catcher Rene Rivera and Braves right-hander Shane Greene were released by their teams . ... The Brewers placed infielder Travis Shaw on waivers.