The Los Angeles Dodgers assumed some risk when they signed Trevor Bauer to a record-setting three-year contract last offseason, and they wound up facing scrutiny come July as the right-hander was accused of sexual assault.
The woman obtained an ex parte temporary restraining order against Bauer, which led to MLB placing on him paid administrative leave during the first week of July. That also wound up marking the end of his time with the Dodgers this season.
Pasadena police and MLB launched separate investigations into the claims, and neither has produced a resolution. The Pasadena Police Department did turn their findings over to the L.A. district attorney’s office, who is yet to decide whether or not criminal charges will be filed.
Bauer also no longer has a restraining order in place as it was dissolved by Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman, who ruled the 30-year-old no longer posed a threat against his accuser. Bauer did not take the stand during the hearing and is yet to speak with MLB investigators because of the potential for a criminal case, per Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Baseball’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy requires Bauer to meet with MLB investigators, but he has not done so for the same reason he did not testify: So long as a potential criminal case looms, anything he says in any forum could be used against him in a criminal trial.
It’s believed MLB has interviewed Bauer’s accuser and an Ohio woman who previously obtained a restraining order against him. Bauer and his representatives have continued to deem all allegations as “baseless.”
Bauer not meeting with MLB investigators presumably has been a factor in commissioner Rob Manfred not yet levying a potential punishment that is expected to be a suspension. Every indication is that will remain a stalemate until the district attorney files charges or dismisses the case.
What is Bauer’s future with the Dodgers?
MLB’s ongoing investigation has taken the matter out of the hands with the Dodgers, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reiterated last week the club is not certain of what lies ahead for Bauer.
“It’s no different than where we were in July, August and September,” answered Friedman when asked if Bauer would ever throw another pitch for the Dodgers.
“From our standpoint, it’s being handled by the league office. As soon as something is decided, obviously we will come down and talk through it extensively with you guys. But until that happens, we have to reserve comment.”
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