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Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, shown here in 2021 when he was with the Cleveland Indians. | Photo courtesy of Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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Major League Baseball Friday suspended Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer for two seasons without pay for what it deemed to be violations of the league’s sex assault and domestic violence policies stemming from a woman’s allegations that he abused her during a pair of sexual encounters.
Bauer said he strongly denies any such violations and will appeal the action.
“In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy,” Bauer wrote on his Twitter page. “I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.”
Bauer has been on administrative leave since last July, when the woman came forward and alleged that Bauer battered her during a pair of violent sexual encounters. A judge initially issued a temporary restraining order against Cy Young Award winner, but later declined to extend the order, ruling after an extensive hearing that Bauer and the woman engaged in rough sex within boundaries that the woman herself helped determine.
The District Attorney’s Office also declined to pursue any charges in the case.
MLB announced the suspension for Bauer in a brief statement, saying he was being suspended for 324 games, the equivalent of two seasons, effective immediately. The commissioner’s office said it would not comment on the case further.
The Dodgers issued a statement acknowledging the decision.
“The Dodgers organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault,” according to the team. “We’ve cooperated fully with MLB’s investigation since it began, and we fully support MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, and the commissioner’s enforcement of the policy. We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the commissioner’s decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete.”
