Trevor Bauer made just 17 starts in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to an investigation into alleged sexual assault that resulted in the right-hander being placed on administrative leave by MLB.
He remained on the restricted list through the conclusion of the World Series and exercised a $32 million player option for the 2022 season. The 30-year-old remains under investigation by MLB, but the Pasadena Police Department turned over their findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office last August.
The D.A. declined to set any sort of timeline for a decision on whether or not Bauer would face criminal charges and the matter carried into 2022. According to TMZ Sports, the district attorney will not bring criminal charges against Bauer:
Trevor Bauer will NOT face any criminal charges for allegedly punching and choking a woman unconscious during sex, TMZ Sports has learned.
We’re also told the decision was made in part because of texts messages between the accuser and Bauer … where she indicated she was looking for rough sex.
Up to this point, all that had been resolved with Bauer’s case was Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman dismissing a temporary restraining order that had been filed.
Even with the ongoing uncertainty, the Dodgers recently paid Bauer a $20 million lump sum, per terms of his contract.
Despite Bauer not facing criminal charges over alleged sexual assault, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred still holds the authority to levy a suspension. Some have speculated such a punishment could be up for a full season.
However, Bauer presumably would be credited for time missed during the 2021 season.
Bauer investigation impacted Dodgers in free agency
A slew of free-agent signings were completed prior to the MLB lockout beginning in December, and for the Dodgers it amounted to Max Scherzer and Corey Seager inking lucrative contracts elsewhere.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently admitted the lack of clarity surrounding Bauer affected the club to some degree.
It’s presumed that likely played a role in the Dodgers being hesitant to potentially match contracts presented to Seager and Scherzer
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