Bauer’s leave is extended, ending his 2021 season
Trevor Bauer will not pitch again this season.
Major League Baseball made it official Friday, extending the Dodgers pitcher’s administrative leave through the end of the regular season and postseason. The extension was once again agreed to by the players’ union.
Bauer, 30, has been paid throughout his administrative leave which began on July 2 when allegations of sexual assault against him made by a San Diego woman came to light. He will receive his entire salary for 2021 — $28 million, plus two $5 million signing bonus payments that were due earlier this year.
It has been increasingly clear for some time that Bauer would not pitch again this
season. He has not pitched in a game since June 28.
Bauer was in court in August when his accuser’s request for a permanent restraining order against Bauer was denied on Aug. 19 in L.A. County Superior Court.
The Pasadena police presented the results of their investigation into two incidents at Bauer’s Pasadena home to the district attorney’s office on Aug. 27. There is no indication whether the office has determined to file charges against Bauer.
An MLB investigation is ongoing which also includes an alleged incident in Ohio last year.
Bauer has been accused by the San Diego woman of choking her until she lost consciousness on multiple occasions, punching her in several areas of her body and leaving her with injuries that required hospitalization over the course of two sexual encounters earlier this year.
The 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner while with the Cincinnati Reds, Bauer made 17 starts for the Dodgers this season, going 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA.
Bauer signed a threeyear, $102 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent in February. The contract includes opt-out clauses after 2021 and 2022. He could earn as much as $47 million in 2022 (a $32 million salary plus a $15 million opt-out for 2023), though a potential suspension would affect what the Dodgers ultimately owe him.
As part of a statement, Bauer’s co-agents, Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba, wrote: “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.
“Again, by definition, administrative leave is neither a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league’s investigation.”
When asked prior to Friday night’s game against the San Diego Padres whether Bauer will ever pitch for the organization again, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I have no idea. I’m just kind of focusing on the guys in the room.”
Asked what the latest ruling means for the Dodgers, Roberts said the players have kept their focus on what they can control on the field.
“I don’t think it’s changed anything from how we’ve gone about it,” Roberts said. “That’s more on the legal side. For us, just focusing on the baseball side, it really hasn’t affected the guys in the clubhouse.”