What is LA Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer’s current situation with his suspension appeal?
Handed the longest non-lifetime ban in MLB history, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer’s appeal process is likely to be a long, drawn out affair
When Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was handed a 324-game suspension, representing two full seasons, it was officially the longest non-lifetime ban ever handed down. Shocking in its severity, and particularly now after the NFL handed Deshaun Watson a paltry six-game ban in a similar situation, but where the evidence was far more damning, the first thing that Bauer did was to lodge an appeal.
The process of the appeal is likely to extend beyond the end of the World Series, making him certain to miss at least one full season. Now, in a case full of twists and turns, his attorney has asked the court to delay the beginning of another trial so that she can conclude her work on the Bauer case.
Shawn Holley represents both Bauer and the actor Danny Masterson, who has been charged with three counts of rape, and whose trial is set to begin on October 11. Ms Holley has asked the judge to delay the start of Mr Masterson’s trial until January and the district attorney did not object to the request.
The alleged victim in Mr Masterson’s trial released a statement expressing outrage that her quest for justice is being delayed by an unrelated case, saying, “I hope the Court sees that the matters in this trial, the rights of the victims, and the need for finality of this important matter trump a scheduling conflict related to baseball.”
Trevor Bauer was suspended for violating the MLB’s policy on sexual assault and domestic violence, and under the terms of the policy, Rob Manfred is empowered to suspend a player even if he is not charged with a crime.
Bauer maintains that he never violated the policy and the police investigation into the matter showed the accusations to be “materially untruthful”, but Manfred has pressed ahead with the suspension. Bauer is the first player suspended under the policy to appeal that suspension, not surprising given the length of time in question. If the suspension stands, Trevor Bauer will lose approximately $60 million in unpaid salary.
A hearing on whether to grant the delay to Mr Masterson’s rape trial is scheduled for August 17.