Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been suspended from Major League Baseball for two seasons, coming into effect immediately, for violating the league’s policy on domestic violence and sexual assault.
The suspension, which will cover 324 free games, was announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Friday. This came after an investigation by the league into allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman. Bauer, who joined the Dodgers last season as a free agent, was released on paid administrative pay on July 2. A second charge of assault was reported by The Washington Post.
Bauer, 31, has been vocal in his own defense throughout the trial and has filed numerous lawsuits against various people, including members of the media. He issued a statement Friday condemning the decision.
“I categorically deny having committed any violation of the League’s policy on domestic violence and sexual violence,” Bauer said in a statement. “I am appealing against this action and expect it to prevail. As during this process, my representatives and I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings. “
In court documents and testimony, one woman said she began contact with Bauer and began a relationship by mutual consent in April 2021, with some agreed rough sex, but this led to sexual acts that were not by mutual consent. She also said she was strangled with her hair until she lost consciousness. She said she returned to Bauer’s house in Pasadena, California, in May and found a sure word that would signal her desire to stop, but was strangled again until she lost consciousness and was hit.
Bauer’s lawyer said in a previous statement that his client had reports that the woman wanted to be strangled and beaten during the meetings.
Separately, The Washington Post published an investigation revealing another incident of alleged abuse.
The Post’s report details how an Ohio woman sought protection against Bauer in 2020 after accusing him of hitting and strangling her without consent during sex. According to the report, which cites sealed court records and other documents, the woman rejected the request six weeks after it was filed and after Bauer’s lawyers threatened to sue. Bauer called the report a “fake story” and accused the woman of attempted extortion.
After a series of extensions to his administrative leave last season, his year officially ended on September 21, when his administrative leave was extended until the end of the season. He was paid for the whole of 2021 – his contract provided for 28 million dollars – but under the terms of his suspension he will not receive payment in 2022 or 2023, the last two years of his contract with Los Angeles. If the appeal is not upheld, Bauer could lose $ 64 million in salary, according to Spotrac.
Bauer’s prospects as a free agent after his return are unknown. He will turn 33 at the start of the 2024 season – still young enough to be an effective pitcher for several years – but will need a team to overcome the accusations in hopes of stepping up his initial rotation. In the NFL, where Deshon Watson was accused of sexually abusing many women – he denied all charges – the young quarterback received a contract from the Cleveland Browns, which guaranteed him $ 230 million.
The Dodgers, for whom Bauer has appeared in just 17 games, issued a statement after a statement in which the team said it supported the league’s policy, but would not comment further because of Bauer’s right to appeal.
“Dodgers takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not endorse or justify any acts of domestic or sexual violence,” the statement said. “We have fully cooperated with the MLB investigation since its inception and fully support the MLB’s joint policy on domestic violence, sexual violence and violence against children, as well as the Commissioner’s policy implementation.
Bauer is the 15th player to be removed as part of the league’s policy on domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse. His removal is twice as long as any other player has received under the rules, and he is the first player to say he will appeal the decision, making this unexplored territory both for the player and the league.
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