The Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Camelback Ranch for the start of 2022 Spring Training last week without Trevor Bauer as he again was placed on administrative leave by MLB due to their ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations.
The right-hander’s hiatus has since been extended through April 16, meaning he is now scheduled to miss all of Spring Training and the first week of the 2022 regular season. The Dodgers’ season opener is April 8 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
MLB placing Bauer on administrative leave removed him from L.A.’s 40-man roster for the time being. The vacancy was then filled when the club officially re-signed Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract.
Bauer’s co-agents Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba said in a statement that Bauer is working with MLB on their investigation and hope to find a resolution soon, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“Mr. Bauer is cooperating with the MLB investigation and looks forward to resolving this matter. He continues to prepare for the 2022 MLB season,” Bauer’s co-agents Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba said in a statement Thursday. “Administrative leave is not a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league’s investigation.”
MLB opted not to suspend Bauer during the lockout as they were still waiting to interview him over the alleged incidents. Now that he is cooperating with the investigation, a decision presumably will come in the near future.
Bauer made 17 starts in his first season with the Dodgers before being placed on administrative leave by MLB on July 2. That wound up being extended several times and kept him off the field for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Per terms of his three-year, $102 million contract, Bauer received a $20 million lump sum in November. He additionally exercised a player option to remain under contract with the Dodgers for the 2022 season.
Potential Bauer suspension unlikely to apply retroactively
While the L.A. County District Attorney’s office cleared Bauer of potential criminal charges last August, he still faces the possibility of being suspended by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
Should the league take such action, it’s not believed Bauer would receive credit for games missed in 2021. Any suspension MLB levies would amount to Bauer not being paid and his salary being removed from the Dodgers’ payroll, which in turn has implications on the luxury tax.
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