Dodgers’ Trevor Bauer out for rest of 2021 season as MLB investigates sexual assault allegations

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The 2021 season is over for Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Major League Baseball and MLB Players Association have agreed to extend his leave for the remainder of the 2021 season, including the playoffs, his agents confirmed on Friday. Bauer is still under investigation by the MLB and the Pasadena, Calif., Police Department for allegations of sexual assault.

Bauer, 30, last showed up on June 28. In the days that followed, it became known that he had been charged with sexual assault. The league then put Bauer on administrative leave. Once this initial period of leave has expired, the league has the right to extend it by one week, provided the MLBPA approves it. Bauer’s leave had been extended every week since his initial suspension. After those many weeks, it seemed seemingly obvious to both sides that the investigation was not going to end in time for a realistic return to the pitch for Bauer in 2021. As such, his season is over.

Bauer’s agents Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba released the following statement on Friday:

“Today, Mr. Bauer agreed to extend his administrative leave during the playoffs in good faith and in an effort to minimize any distraction for the Dodgers organization and its teammates. He continues to cooperate with the MLB Investigation and Refuting Unfounded Allegations Against Again, by definition, administrative leave is not disciplinary and in no way reflects a conclusion of the league’s investigation. “

The Dodgers signed a three-year, $ 102 million contract with Bauer last offseason. On the court, he was 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 137 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings.

In late June, Britt Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic reported details of a woman’s encounters with Bauer, which she said were initially consensual. “I agreed to have consensual sex, but I did not accept or consent to what he did next. I did not agree to be sexually assaulted,” the woman said. The Athletic’s report, which includes graphic details of a request for a restraining order, including allegations that Bauer strangled and hit the woman, can be found here.

In August, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed an application to extend a temporary restraining order against Bauer. However, Bauer is still under investigation by police for possible criminal charges, and he is still under MLB investigation that could lead to his league sanction. According to the relevant joint agreement, MLB can discipline Bauer regardless of the results of the legal system.

There was also a report that another woman filed a protective order against Bauer in Ohio last year. Bauer responded by saying the woman was trying to extort money from him and accused the Washington Post of participating in a “false story.”

MLB’s domestic violence policy was implemented in 2016 and 13 players have since been sanctioned, with suspensions ranging from 14 games to 162 games. Under this policy, the Dodgers cannot release Bauer – if they choose – until the investigation is complete and he serves any league-imposed discipline. If the team releases him, they will owe him the balance of the deal.

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