UPDATE (March 11, 3:15 p.m. PT): Trevor Bauer was placed on administrative leave by MLB and will not be with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the start of 2022 Spring Training.
The MLB lockout ending Thursday afternoon has brought back normalcy and clarity for the sport, but that doesn’t yet apply to Trevor Bauer and his status with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I kind of haven’t been too privy to what’s going on because it’s something with Major League Baseball, his attorneys and all that kind of stuff,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday. “So I haven’t heard.”
Roberts added he wasn’t sure if Bauer would join the Dodgers once Spring Training camp opens at Camelback Ranch. “I don’t want to completely close the door on him potentially being in Spring Training, because I just don’t know enough,” Roberts explained.
“I certainly heard and saw his thoughts about a month ago, so he’s been staying in shape. I don’t know where he is as far as a reserve list, or how it works. I just don’t know that. So I don’t want to close the door completely.”
Bauer was placed on administrative leave list last June, and he remained on the restricted list through the conclusion of the 2021 World Series due to alleged sexual assault.
The Pasadena Police Department conducted a lengthy investigation and turned over their findings to the L.A. County District Attorney’s office last August, who then announced in February that Bauer would not face criminal charges.
Although the 31-year-old was cleared in that regard, he remains subject to potential suspension handed down by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Both the league and Dodgers declined comment when it was announced Bauer would not face criminal charges.
MLB reportedly was still waiting to interview Bauer over the alleged incident, but it was unlikely to do so — much less levy a suspension — while the lockout was ongoing.
Roberts said he was not aware if members of the Dodgers organization had been in recent contact with Bauer.
Will Bauer ever pitch again for the Dodgers?
While it’s plausible that Bauer joins the Dodgers for the start of Spring Training, whether he ever pitches again for the team is another question.
The expectation has been the Dodgers would likely look to part with the right-hander before the start of the 2022 regular season. Bauer exercised a player option to remain under contract with the team this year.
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