MLB places Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer on administrative leave amidst sexual assault investigation

Fundamental League Baseball placed Trevor Bauer on administrative leave Friday, sidelining the Los Angeles Dodgers honest correct-hander and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner days after accusations of sexual and physical assault surfaced and a police investigation into his alleged actions commenced. 

Bauer, 30, used to be slated to originate Sunday’s Fourth of July morning sport at Washington; as an different, he’ll be placed on paid leave for as a minimum seven days as MLB and the Pasadena Police Division continue their investigations. 

Bauer’s leave could maybe conceivably be prolonged beyond seven days can accumulate to quiet MLB and the Avid gamers’ Association agree; the form of maneuver has been archaic in the previous for situations keen Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell and Original York Yankees pitcher Domingo German, who in the extinguish were suspended below MLB and MLBPA’s joint domestic violence policy. 

If investigations by either MLB or law enforcement corroborate essential parts equipped by a 27-12 months-extinct girl who bought a restraining screech against Bauer, he figures to face a lengthy suspension from the league that would likely lengthen into 2022. 

“MLB’s investigation into the allegations made against Trevor Bauer is ongoing. While no determination in the case has been made, we accumulate made the decision to position Mr. Bauer on seven-day administrative leave effective straight,” the league acknowledged in an announcement. “MLB continues to amass information in our ongoing investigation concurrent with the Pasadena Police Division’s full of life prison investigation. We can observation additional at the suitable time.”

In an 84-web page epic, bought by USA TODAY Sports, the girl accuses Bauer of punching extra than one components of her body, collectively with the aspect of the head, and choking her along with her hair to the purpose that she lost consciousness. She additionally claims Bauer had anal intercourse along with her with out her consent. 

Bauer, through his attorney Jon Fetterolf, has claimed that the two sexual encounters between he and the girl were wholly consensual. Bauer can formally respond to the allegations at a July 23 hearing, all through which a determine will determine if the restraining screech wants to be upheld.

“We reaffirm our usual assertion and refute (the girl’s) allegations in the strongest doable phrases,” Fetterolf and Bauer’s co-agent, Rachel Luba, acknowledged in an announcement Friday to USA TODAY Sports. “Mr. Bauer won’t charm MLB’s decision to position him on administrative leave right now with a view to diminish any distraction to the Dodgers organization and to his teammates.

“Of uncover, administrative leave is neither a disciplinary action nor does it the least bit replicate a finding in the league’s investigation.”

The Dodgers signed Bauer to a 3-12 months, $102 million contract this frigid climate, and he used to be anticipated to additional provoke a membership coming off a World Collection championship. He for the time being leads the National League in innings pitched and strikeouts whereas posting an 8-5 epic. 

Despite the unsettling nature of the allegations, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts acknowledged Thursday the membership deferred to MLB referring to Bauer’s rapid fate and deliberate for him to originate Sunday. 

Now, or now not it’s doable Bauer could maybe now not pitch for a essential interval. 

MLB can levy suspensions against avid gamers below the domestic violence policy even in the absence of prison charges or a conviction. In previous situations, prolonged time on administrative leave has been credited in direction of eventual suspensions. 

“While they proceed with their investigation, let’s endure in mind that right here is a process agreed upon with the union, so I feel it’s the most convenient automobile to accumulate the final information and accumulate to the finest consequence,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten instructed USA TODAY Sports on Friday earlier than the membership’s sport against the Nationals. “And so I am going to study for regardless of the findings are and regardless of the conclude result is.

“I’m going to let the technique play out and we’re going to take care of regardless of the conclude result is.”

Thirteen avid gamers accumulate been suspended by MLB since its joint policy used to be agreed upon in September 2015, and nearly all of them were levied in the absence of a conviction. In a complete lot of those situations, collectively with dilapidated Mets infielder Jose Reyes, Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera and dilapidated Astros reliever Roberto Osuna, charges were dropped when the participant’s companion or companion opted to now not cooperate with prosecutors.

Reyes (51 video games), Osuna (75 video games) and Herrera (81 video games) all earned essential suspensions from MLB, as did German, who served an 85-sport ban after an incident for which he used to be now not charged, nonetheless that came about all through and after a charity match hosted by a teammate.

Ragged reliever Sam Dyson used to be assessed the longest ban below the policy, for the final 2021 season, after his dilapidated female friend detailed an prolonged pattern of emotional and verbal abuse.