Trevor Bauer filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court against the San Diego woman who accused him of sexual assault during his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bauer, who announced the suit on social media, is alleging that the woman sought to “destroy” his reputation and baseball career. He also is accusing the woman of deleting photos, text messages and videos from her phone.
The suit also names one of the woman’s attorneys, Fred Thiagarajah, who Bauer claims “knowingly made false statements” about him to the media.
The defamation suit is the third Bauer has filed in the past two months, previously suing Deadspin and The Athletic for their coverage on the allegations brought forth last year.
Bauer has not pitched for the Dodgers since last June. He was placed on administrative leave at the start of July and remained there through the 2021 World Series.
Although the Pasadena Police Department decided not to file criminal charges against Bauer, he is still subject to punishment under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
There’s been a long-held expectation MLB commissioner Rob Manfred would impose a lengthy suspension that could span multiple seasons and also not give the 31-year-old credit for time served during the 2021 season.
Bauer is said to be cooperating with the league during their investigation, but it’s unclear if he’s been interviewed by MLB officials. A recent petition to obtain a subpoena for his accuser’s cell phone records was denied by a judge.
Bauer still on administrative leave
As the Dodgers were days from reporting to Camelback Ranch for the start of 2022 Spring Training, Bauer was put back on the restricted list. That has been extended on a regular basis, with it recently being pushed back to at least until Friday, April 29.
Bauer missed 81 games last season while on leave, then 12 more in the playoffs and now is set to be out an additional 19 games in 2022.
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