LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers announced Friday that they have removed right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer, who is currently serving a 194-game suspension for violating the joint MLB-MLBPA policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. intended for use.
“The Dodgers Organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process being accorded to the accused,” the Dodgers wrote in a statement. “From the beginning, we have cooperated fully with the Major League Baseball investigation and strictly followed the process set out in the MLB Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Two comprehensive reviews of all available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner [Rob] Manfred and another, by a neutral referee – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest-ever active player ban in our sport for violating this policy. Now that this process is complete, after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”
Independent referee Martin F. Scheinman confirmed that Bauer violated the domestic violence policy when he reduced Bauer’s suspension from 324 games to 194 games on December 22. That reduction qualified Bauer for immediate reinstatement as he had already missed 243 games between his time on administrative leave and the 144 games he was suspended in 2022.
The Dodgers had until Friday to decide whether to return Bauer to the active 40-man roster or let him go. They held organizational meetings, including some with clubhouse leaders, for the past 14 days before making their final decision.
The club has seven days to trade Bauer and if not traded he will be placed on unconditional waiver of release. If no team claims him, he becomes a free agent.
Barring one trade, the Dodgers will owe Bauer $22.5 million for the upcoming season. This would be the last season of his three-year, $102 million contract.
Bauer, who turns 32 on January 17, was the first player to appeal a suspension under the domestic violence policy. Although reduced, it is still the longest suspension imposed under the MLB-MLBPA Joint Domestic Violence Policy, enacted in 2015.
Bauer was initially placed on paid administrative leave after a San Diego woman accused him of sexual assault during two sexual encounters in 2021. The woman also filed a temporary restraining order against him. Bauer claimed he did nothing wrong and said the encounters were consensual.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied the restraining order. In February 2022, the Los Angeles Attorney’s Office announced that it would not pursue criminal charges against Bauer.
MLB conducted its own investigation to determine if Bauer violated the league’s domestic violence policy. Under the joint domestic violence policy agreed upon by the MLB and MLBPA, the Commissioner’s Office has the ability to ban a player even if he has not been charged or convicted in court.