The Los Angeles Dodgers head into the All-Star break with only three starting pitchers in their rotation as Clayton Kershaw is on the 10-day injured list due to left forearm/elbow inflammation, and Trevor Bauer remains on paid administrative leave.
MLB placed Bauer on the restricted list and removed him from the Dodgers’ 40-man roster amid an investigation into alleged sexual assault. In addition to the league carrying out an investigation, so too is the Pasadena Police Department.
MLB took unilateral action on July 2 by placing Bauer on seven-day leave, and gained approval from the Players Association late last week to extend it for another week.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the next step may be MLB and the MLBPA agreeing to an indefinite leave for Bauer:
Dodgers SP Trevor Bauer's administrative leave has been extended by seven days as police and the league continue to investigate sexual assault allegations against him. Unless something is resolved by then — very unlikely — league and union will discuss an indefinite extension.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 8, 2021
Should the parties agree to an indefinite timetable for Bauer’s leave, it would better allow MLB to continue their investigation without pressure of meeting a date for possible reinstatement. It was recently reported the league is hoping to arrange separate interviews with the right-hander and his accuser, a 27-year-old woman from San Diego.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has the authority to suspend a player under the joint domestic violence policy even if charges are not filed.
As for the temporary restraining order currently in place, Bauer is scheduled for a court hearing on July 23.
Dodgers remove Bauer bobblehead night
While the Dodgers were not permitted to take disciplinary action once MLB launched their investigation, the team has removed the Bauer bobblehead from its 2021 promotional and giveaway calendar.
Merchandise with his name and jersey number also no longer are available via the team’s website or Dodger Stadium retail stores.
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