USA TODAY International Edition
MLB suspends Trevor Bauer for two full seasons
Trevor Bauer, 31, received a record two- year suspension Friday for violating MLB’s domestic abuse policy, a significant penalty for a pitcher who now finds his future in the game in doubt.
Unlike the 15 players previously suspended under MLB’s domestic violence policy, Bauer will contest his ban. He has appealed and is ineligible to pitch until an arbitrator upholds, reduces or overturns the league’s ruling. Since MLB and the MLB Players Association jointly agreed to its domestic violence policy in 2015, all 15 players have accepted or negotiated suspensions ranging in length from 15 to 162 games.
Bauer has not pitched since June, when a San Diego woman levied a sexual assault claim against him. He’s been on administrative leave since July, during which he has received his salary. Any suspension would be unpaid.
“In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy,” he said in a statement released by his representatives. “I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives and I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.”
Bauer signed a three- year, $ 102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, months after winning the National League Cy Young Award in the pandemic- shortened 2020 season. He won eight of his first 17 starts with the Dodgers but in June was accused by of assault during two sexual encounters; Bauer countered that their interactions were “wholly consensual.”
Under the joint domestic violence policy, players may be suspended in the absence of criminal charges; just one suspended player – former Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera – served a prison sentence as a result of accusations.
Other suspended players were charged criminally but had charges dropped, often after partners decided not to cooperate with prosecutors. In Bauer’s case, MLB waited to levy discipline until after an extended period during which Los Angeles County prosecutors opted not to charge Bauer with a crime, a decision revealed Feb. 8.
In August, a protective order against Bauer was rescinded by a Los Angeles judge, a decision reached after more than nine hours of testimony by Bauer’s accuser. Bauer invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during the hearing.
As the legal ramifications played out, Bauer, the union and MLB agreed to multiple extensions of his administrative leave, but with the 2022 season unfolding and Bauer apparently absconded legally, the pitcher was due a disciplinary verdict from MLB.
Besides the California accuser, Bauer was subject to an order of protection filed by an Ohio woman in 2020, according to The Washington Post. The woman’s complaint, which remains sealed, alleges Bauer choked her and struck her without her consent during sexual encounters in 2017 and 2018 and sent her threatening messages on social media.
Bauer has pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland, the Cincinnati Reds and the Dodgers.
“Today we were informed that MLB has concluded its investigation into allegations that have been made against Trevor Bauer, and the Commissioner has issued his decision regarding discipline,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “The ... organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault.”
Bauer’s suspension is effective immediately and not retroactive. Should it be upheld, he will remain suspended past the remaining term of his Dodgers contract and into the 2024 season. The suspension would cost him $ 60 million in salary.