MLB suspends Trevor Bauer for 324 games
In the latest twist in the Trevor Bauer saga, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has handed down the longest non-lifetime ban in baseball history.
In a bizarre twist to the Trevor Bauer saga, Major League Baseball has announced that it is suspending him for 324 games, representing two full seasons, without pay.
Citing violations of Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, the league has enacted the ban effective from Friday, April 29, 2022. This is the longest non-lifetime suspension in the history of baseball.
The official release stating that Trevor Bauer has officially been suspended by Major League Baseball for 2 years without pay 😳 pic.twitter.com/j8aFyK5ZFA
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) April 29, 2022
The case of what to do with Trevor Bauer has percolated for nearly a year now, since he was placed on administrative leave last July 2 when a California woman accused him of beating her unconscious and raping her in his home. Bauer maintained that the two had a consensual rough-sex encounter and that the woman was never unconscious or raped.
It has long been feared amongst the Dodger fans that his lack of contrition would lead to this saga being dragged out much longer than it could have been. It would seem that today’s announcement bears that out. Commissioner Rob Manfred has been visibly irked by Bauer’s insistence that he be allowed to play throughout this past year.
MLB has issued a two year suspension for Trevor Bauer, per multiple reports.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 29, 2022
Bauer is appealing the suspension. pic.twitter.com/sxtHkhfvzg
Bauer was never arrested or charged with a crime. A California judge heard evidence in August before ruling in Bauer’s favor. In denying the woman’s request for a five-year restraining order against Bauer, the judge noted that the woman shared responsibility for what happened.
Whereas with settlements players have been credited days served for a suspension while on administrative leave, that is not the case with Bauer. His two-year suspension, which covers 324 games, starts today and would last for all of 2022, 2023 and into the 2024 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 29, 2022
MLB’s policy gives wide powers to the discretion of the commissioner. “Domestic violence includes, but is not limited to, physical or sexual violence, emotional and/or psychological intimidation, verbal violence, stalking, economic control, harassment, physical intimidation, or injury,” is the wording of the policy.
Violence and injury are the key words in Bauer’s case. The woman went to the hospital and was diagnosed with an acute head injury and assault by manual strangulation. Bauer has consistently insisted that he had no part in her injuries and has maintained that, together with her attorney Fred Thiagarajah, she concocted a plan to frame Bauer in an effort to seek millions in damages.
In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy. I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 29, 2022
Earlier this week, Bauer lodged two lawsuits naming the woman and her attorney for defamation of character. He has immediately tweeted that he will be appealing MLB’s suspension decision.