The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Trevor Bauer for at least the first week of the 2022 regular season as he is currently on administrative leave through April 16 due to MLB’s ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations.
Previously, the accuser filed a restraining order against Bauer, but that request was denied as a judge ruled he was not a future threat to the woman. The Pasadena Police Department also completed their investigation and turned their findings over to the L.A. County District Attorney’s, which declined to pursue criminal charges against Bauer.
Since then, Bauer filed a subpoena with the Pasadena Police Department in an attempt to reveal the accuser’s cell phone records. However, the woman’s attorneys said Bauer has not been given approval from the court to serve that subpoena.
The accuser then asked the judge to reject the subpoena request, claiming that Bauer’s harassing and retaliation must stop. Their request was granted by a judge on Monday after a hearing, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman ruled that Bauer’s attorneys had not filed the proper motion in time for her to consider Bauer’s request.
Even had they done so, Gould-Saltman indicated she would have been skeptical of the argument that the records would have helped Bauer’s attorneys show that the woman’s attorneys misused the restraining order process and thus should pay Bauer’s costs to defend himself.
“It appears the materials being sought are not germane to the very limited issue that would come before the court on attorneys’ fees,” Gould-Saltman said.
There is hope with the hearing now settled, MLB could issue some clarity over the situation sooner rather than later. He has now been on paid administrative leave for nearly 10 months. The Dodgers have declined to comment until MLB issues their ruling.
Bauer is said to be cooperating with the league during their investigation, but it’s unclear if he’s been interviewed by MLB officials.
Under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, commissioner Rob Manfred can levy any suspension regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or not. Some have speculated such a punishment for Bauer could be up for a full season.
Potential Bauer suspension won’t be retroactively enforced
The 31-year-old’s initial leave began last July and wound up being periodically extended through the conclusion of the 2021 World Series.
There is speculation that any suspension from MLB will not be counted as time served and result in Bauer missing games during the 2022 season.
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