When Major League Baseball placed Trevor Bauer on seven-day administrative leave earlier this month, it coincided with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ trip to the White House.
Several members of the organization addressed the media after the festivities, including Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten. Kasten made light of the Bauer investigation and relayed he jokingly told manager Dave Roberts to talk about foreign substances when asked about the matter.
Kasten did say the team was respecting the league’s process but nonetheless was criticized for not appearing to take the situation seriously.
When asked about Kasten’s comments during the All-Star break, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated they were inappropriate and undermined the allegations against Bauer, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“I think that the public passed judgment on whether those comments were appropriate or not,” Manfred said at a meeting of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. “It was pretty clear what people thought about it. “I don’t think it was a helpful comment, given all we are trying to achieve in this area.”
MLB launched an investigation into Bauer earlier this month after a 27-year-old woman from San Diego accused him of sexual assault. Although he has not been charged with a crime to this point, Bauer does have a temporary restraining order in place against him.
Whenever the investigation concludes, Manfred will have the authority to levy a suspension under the joint domestic violence policy even if charges are not filed. The Pasadena Police Department separately is looking into the allegations as well.
Bauer is scheduled for a court hearing on July 23.
Bauer’s administrative leave extended to July 27
When Bauer’s initial seven-day administrative leave expired, MLB worked out an agreement with the Players Association to extend his hiatus by another week.
Both sides reportedly have since agreed to place Bauer on a new leave through at least July 27 — four days after he is expected to appear in court.
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