Three years have passed since Trevor Bauer last played in a Major League Baseball game. The last time he took the mound as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he pitched six innings, allowing two runs while striking out eight batters and securing the win. However, just two days later, he faced allegations of sexual assault, which resulted in a 324-game suspension, later reduced to 184 games, for violating the league’s policies on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Despite not playing in MLB, Bauer had a successful season in Japan last year and is currently excelling in the Mexican League with a 2.37 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Despite his performance, Bauer remains unsigned by any MLB team.
Bill James, a pioneer in baseball analytics, suggested that the league could face legal consequences if Bauer is not actively encouraged to sign with a team. Bauer himself has hinted at the possibility of taking legal action against MLB if he continues to be kept out of the game due to what he claims are false allegations.
While Bauer has expressed a willingness to play for the league minimum, he has yet to find a team willing to sign him. He has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, reaching settlements with one accuser and facing another who is now facing legal trouble for fraudulent behavior.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Bauer remains hopeful for a return to the game and a chance to show that he can learn from his mistakes and grow as a person. His case highlights the complexities of dealing with allegations of misconduct in professional sports and the impact they can have on a player’s career.
As the situation continues to unfold, Bauer’s future in baseball remains uncertain. Whether he will be able to make a comeback and put the past behind him or if legal action will be necessary to secure his return to the game is yet to be seen. In the meantime, Bauer continues to focus on his performance in the Mexican League, hoping for an opportunity to prove himself once again on the big stage.