After reports surfaced of Trevor Bauer being accused by a woman of alleged sexual assault and a temporary restraining order being in place, the Los Angeles Dodgers issued a statement that explained they would follow the lead of Major League Baseball.
MLB investigators launched an investigation into the matter, but it wasn’t until three days later that Bauer was placed on a seven-day administrative leave. Doing so removed him from the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and meant the right-hander can’t rejoin the team until this Friday at the earliest.
Without Bauer available, the Dodgers relied on a bullpen game in the series finale against the Washington Nationals and will do so again this week on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts anticipates Bauer’s administrative leave being extended beyond Friday, according to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t see it happening,” Roberts said before the Dodgers opened a four-game series against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.
It has not been uncommon in the past for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to extend player leaves beyond the original seven days, though doing so requires cooperation and approval from the Players Association.
Should the MLBPA agree to keeping Bauer on the restricted list beyond this weekend, it would stretch into the All-Star break. MLB investigators reportedly are working to interview Bauer and his accuser.
Bauer has not been criminally charged as the Pasadena Police Department conducts its own investigation, and is scheduled for a court hearing on July 23.
Dodgers pitching options
While the Dodgers are getting to the All-Star break in the form of two bullpen games to fill Bauer’s spot in the starting rotation, Roberts has ben candid about needing to settle on a more permanent solution should a need arise.
The team doesn’t appear keen on moving David Price into the starting rotation, and Josiah Gray would at least be multiple weeks away due to just returning from a right shoulder impingement.
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