Trevor Bauer’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was marred by controversy as he made just 17 starts due to an investigation into alleged sexual assault that resulted in him being placed on administrative leave by MLB.
The Pasadena Police Department turned over their findings to the L.A. County District Attorney’s office last August, who announced on Tuesday that Bauer will not face criminal charges.
The 31-year-old remains under investigation by the league, however, and still faces the possibility of being suspended. Some have speculated such a punishment could be up for a full season.
Now that he has been cleared of potential criminal charges, the belief is MLB will ask Bauer to meet with their team of investigators, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Now that Bauer need not worry that anything he says could be used against him in a criminal case, MLB is expected to ask Bauer to meet with its investigators as required under the league policy.
While the expectation remains that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will levy a suspension, he presumably will not take any sort of action until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is in place. In any case, Bauer would likely appeal and seek credit for time served last season that amounted to missing 81 games.
Despite Bauer escaping possible criminal charges, 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.”
Bauer reportedly ‘unlikely’ to rejoin Dodgers
Prior to MLB team owners imposing a lockout at the beginning of December, Bauer exercised a $32 million player option for the 2022 season.
Although he remains under contract, the right-hander reportedly is unlikely to ever pitch again for the Dodgers. If he remains with the team, Bauer has another $32 million option for 2023 and would receive a $15 million buyout by declining it.
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