Whether or not Trevor Bauer will ever pitch again for the Los Angeles Dodgers is unclear, but at minimum he will not face charges from the L.A. district attorney over last year’s alleged sexual assault incidents.
The district attorney announced their decision on Tuesday, and though Bauer has escaped possible criminal charges, he is still subject of a potential suspension handed down by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
“MLB’s investigation is ongoing and we will comment further at the appropriate time,” the league said in a statement.
Similarly, the Dodgers declined to address the matter. “MLB is continuing their investigation,” they said in a statement. “We will have no further comment until it concludes.”
Nevertheless, this now represents two instances that have gone in Bauer’s favor since a San Diego woman obtained a temporary restraining order last June. Upon completion of a four-day court hearing in August, judge Dianna Gould-Saltman dismissed the request to impose a permanent restraining order (up to five years in California) due to believing Bauer was unlikely to cause the accuser any harm or contact her moving forward.
Bauer made 17 starts in his first season with the Dodgers. His paid administrative leave began July 2 and ultimately was extended through the World Series. Per terms of his three-year, $102 million contract, Bauer received a $20 million lump sum in November.
He also exercised a player option for the 2022 season. Bauer has another $32 million option for 2023, and would receive a $15 million buyout if declining it.
Will MLB suspend Bauer?
The general expectation is MLB had been waiting on a decision from the district attorney’s office prior to potentially moving forward with a punishment.
It’s widely believed MLB will suspend Bauer, but he likely would appeal and seek credit for time served last season that amounted to missing 81 games. Furthermore, MLB presumably will not take any sort of action until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is in place.
The domestic violence and sexual assault policy with which Bauer was put on administrative leave under, technically expired with the 2017-2021 CBA. Thus far, 14 players have been suspended under the policy.
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