(UPDATE: An independent arbitrator reduced the suspension to 194 games on Dec. 22 and announced that Bauer was reinstated immediately. The Dodgers have 14 days to place him back on their 40-man roster or release him.)
Warning: The following article contains detailed allegations related to sexual assault.
After months of investigation into sexual assault claims against Trevor Bauer, MLB has suspended the Dodgers pitcher for 324 games — two full seasons — for violating the league's domestic violence and sexual assault policy.
Bauer immediately responded with a statement denying any violation and vowing to appeal the decision. The 31-year-old has not pitched since June 28, 2021, spending the end of last season and the beginning of this season on the restricted list.
In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy. I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 29, 2022
The Los Angeles County district attorney previously announced in February that Bauer would not face criminal charges in connection with the allegations, saying in a statement: "After a thorough review of all the available evidence, including the civil restraining order proceedings, witness statements and the physical evidence, the People are unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt."
Despite that legal victory, Bauer remained subject to MLB discipline, which finally came down Friday.
Here's what to know about the allegations against Bauer and his response:
What are the allegations against Trevor Bauer and who is his accuser?
According to police records, a woman, who has only been identified as "Ms. Hill" at her attorney's request, claimed to have met Bauer through Instagram and first met up with the Dodgers pitcher on April 21.
She described that the first encounter escalated to Bauer performing multiple sexual acts without consent. She alleged that Bauer choked her to the point of unconsciousness and punched her in the face and genitals. Ms. Hill also claims he initiated sex without her consent.
Bauer contends to have had two sexual encounters that were "wholly consensual" with Ms. Hill.
Ms. Hill sought medical attention a day after the second encounter. An intake form indicated “head and facial trauma,” but a CT scan and MRI revealed no such injuries, according to public records. References to "signs of a basilar skull fracture" from the intake form have since been ruled by Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman to have been “materially misleading.”
Ms. Hill filed a temporary ex parte restraining order on June 28 with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
An ex parte is a temporary restraining order that does not allow the accused a chance to immediately respond in court and is taken at face value by the accuser. The accused is notified of the allegations and given a formal hearing and opportunity to respond at a later date to refute any allegations.
An LA County Superior Court judge later denied Ms. Hill's request to make the ex parte restraining order permanent and dissolved the ex parte restraining order after a July 23rd hearing in which Bauer was able to respond/refute the allegations.
At the time of the initial accusations, Bauer's agent Jon Fetterolf issued a statement to Yahoo Sports, saying, "[Ms. Hill's] basis for filing a protection order is nonexistent, fraudulent, and deliberately omits key facts, information, and her own relevant communications. Any allegations that the pair’s encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law. and claimed that the encounters were fully consensual."
Trevor Bauer's response
After the LA District Attorney's announcement, Bauer released a seven-minute video on YouTube.
"I believe that allegations as serious as these should be fully investigated and not adjudicated in the media," Bauer said. "During the investigation, I've watched many draw premature conclusions based on an absurd amount of misinformation and false claims that have been circulated with absolutely no corroboration."
Both my representatives and I have expected this outcome from the beginning, and we are grateful that each of these neutral, third party arbiters have reviewed the relevant information and made clear and informed decisions on this matter. I have cooperated with the Pasadena Police Department’s investigation and my version of events has not waivered because it’s the truth. I also never ‘materially misled’ the court, as it was found that this woman did.
Bauer described his version of the story and also once again denied the allegations that he punched the accuser in the face and genitals. Bauer also concluded by saying, “I never assaulted her in any way at any time, and while we did have consensual rough sex, the disturbing acts and conduct that she described simply did not occur.”
"You may not be my biggest fan or agree with everything that I’ve said over the years and that’s ok," Bauer said on YouTube.
I’m not a perfect person. If you want to judge me for engaging in rough sex with a woman that I hardly knew— that’s ok, too. In evaluating my life in recent months, it’s clear that I’ve made some poor choices, particularly in regards to the people I’ve chosen to associate with.
"But I am not the person this woman, her lawyers and certain members of the media have painted me to be."
Trevor Bauer's contract
Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers heading into the 2021 season. It was expected that Bauer would exercise his option for 2022 and likely decline it come 2023.
Trevor Bauer will not opt out of his historic contract. That should not surprise anyone under the circumstances. Has $64M to go over 2 years. A decision to opt out also will have resulted in lengthy deferrals.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 3, 2021
Bauer went 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 17 starts in 2021.
What's next?
Bauer will remain sidelined at least until his appeal is heard, though the timeline on that is unclear.
If the Dodgers wish to cut ties with Bauer, they can release him and pay him the remainder of his contract. They can also attempt to void the deal by arguing Bauer violated personal conduct standards of his contract, which would likely prompt him to file a grievance.
"We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner's decision," the Dodgers said in a statement after the suspension came down. "Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete."
Dani Mohr contributed to this report.
