Trevor Bauer Reinstated After 194 Game Suspension; Will See 50 Games Without Pay In 2023

Former Cy Young winner and Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer has been reinstated by a neutral arbitrator after ruling on the league’s domestic violence policy, after commissioner Rob Manfred’s decision to suspend him for two full seasons (324 games) in April of 2022. With the reinstatement, Bauer will serve an unpaid suspension of 194 games. In addition, the arbitrator docked Bauer’s salary for the first 50 games of the 2023 season (i.e., the period covering March 30, 2023, to May 23, 2023).

The league released a statement on the decision by Martin F. Scheinman, the arbitrator selected by MLB and the MLBPA, saying, Trevor Bauer violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

“While we believe a longer suspension was warranted, MLB will abide by the neutral arbitrator’s decision, which upholds baseball’s longest-ever active player suspension for sexual assault or domestic violence,” the statement said.

Bauer’s total suspension covered 144 games of the 2022 regular season. He last pitched on June 28, 2021, before being placed on paid administrative leave which was renewed more than once until the Manfred suspension ruling.

Based on Bauer’s $32 million salary for 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the additional 50 games without pay for the upcoming season will cost him $9,302,325.58.

The Dodgers are likely to pay Bauer the remaining $22,697,674.42 and release him, making Bauer a free agent. Based upon provisions in the MLB collective bargaining agreement the Dodgers have until Jan 6, 2023 to make such a decision. Shortly after the announcement, the Dodgers released a statement on Twitter saying, “We have just been informed of the arbitrator’s ruling and will comment as soon as practical.”

Bauer was accused of assault with a sexual partner from San Diego over two episodes that shook the sports world due to its graphic nature. As part of a five-month investigation by the Pasadena Police, criminal charges were not filed against Bauer in February.

“After a thorough review of all the available evidence including the civil restraining order proceedings, witness statements and the physical evidence — the People are unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the district attorney’s office at the time. “Those charges were assault by means likely to cause great bodily harm, sodomy of a sleeping person and domestic violence.”

On top of the case in Pasadena, a woman in Cleveland sought the temporary order due to repeated threats from Bauer after he allegedly assaulted her dating back to 2017.

As part of MLB’s statement on Bauer’s reinstatement, the league addressed the women involved in the cases. “We understand this process was difficult for the witnesses involved and we thank them for their participation.”

Citing the confidentiality agreement of the collectively bargained domestic violence program, the MLBPA declined to comment. Major League Baseball also declined further comment at this time, citing the provisions of the program.