Bauer’s leave is extended into season

Trevor Bauer will remain on administrative leave into the 2022 season.

MLB extended Bauer’s status yet again Thursday, this time for a month through April 16. Bauer’s administrative leave was set to expire on Thursday. With the exception of the offseason, Bauer has been on administrative leave since last July with the players’ union agreeing to each extension.

MLB’S investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Bauer remains open with the expectation that Bauer will be interviewed by the commissioner’s office at some point before discipline is announced.

Bauer’s representatives, Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba, released a statement acknowledging the decision by MLB.

“Mr. Bauer is cooperating with the MLB investigation and looks forward to resolving this matter,” the statement read. “He continues to prepare for the 2022 MLB season.

“Administrative leave is not a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league’s investigation.”

Bauer made an appearance at the players’ union camp in Mesa before the lockout and has been posting videos of his workouts on social media throughout the winter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the start of training camp that he would not “close the door completely” on Bauer being in camp with the Dodgers. The leave extension does that.

“For us, the guys that are in camp, that’s who all of our focus has to be on,” Roberts said this week.

Signed to a three-year, $102 million contract before last season, Bauer made 17 starts for the Dodgers before the sexual assault allegations became public.

An investigation by the Pasadena Police led to no criminal charges against Bauer and the woman’s request for a restraining order against Bauer was also denied.

NBA standings

— Bill Plunkett

Tigers agree to 2-year deal with LHP Chafin

Left-hander Andrew Chafin and the Tigers finalized a $13 million, two-year contract on Thursday, giving Detroit one of the top relief pitchers on the free agent market.

Chafin gets a $1 million signing bonus, $5.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2023.

The 31-year-old had a 1.83 ERA with a career-high five saves and 64 strikeouts in 71 games in 2021, splitting the season with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. His ERA ranked No. 5 in the majors among relievers and he ranked among baseball’s leaders in opponents’ on-base and slugging percentage and opponents’ slugging percentage.

Miller agrees to $10M, 2-year deal with Texas

Brad Miller has agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers, giving manager Chris Woodward a player who has started games at every infield and outfield position in his career.

Mille hit 20 home runs for Philadelphia last season, when he started games at first base, second base, third base, right field and left field. The 32-year-old Miller will make $6 million this season, and $4 million in 2023.

The Rangers agreed to a minor league contract with Charlie Culberson.

Culberson, who had a team-high 60 starts at third base for the Rangers last season, would have a $1.75 million base salary while in the majors if added to the 40man roster.

Miller is a .239 career hitter with 115 homers and 367 RBIS in 947 games with six teams. The left-handed hitter is a right-handed fielder.