Fansided

Former MLB pitcher Trevor Bauer has reportedly signed with a new team

By Mark Powell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers returns to the dugout after the top of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers returns to the dugout after the top of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Trevor Bauer’s path back to baseball has been a complicated and controversial one. Bauer has reportedly signed in Japan, rather than an MLB or semi-pro team.

Trevor Bauer has reportedly signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

The likelihood of Bauer receiving an MLB deal after his alleged transgressions were slim to say the least. In Japan, he will try to rebuild his baseball resumé and block out the noise.

Bauer was released by the Dodgers back in January after serving the longest suspension in the history of MLB and MLBPA’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy — 194 games.

Trevor Bauer allegations keep him from signing in MLB

Trevor Bauer joined his hometown Dodgers on a three-year, $102 million contract prior to the start of the 2021 season. He had a record of 8-5 and a 2.59 ERA in 17 games prior to being placed on leave by the team.

An ESPN report detailed the allegations against Bauer:

“A then-27-year-old San Diego woman filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order in which she alleged that Bauer assaulted her over the course of two sexual encounters at his home in Pasadena, California, in April and May, prompting a prolonged MLB investigation that left Bauer on administrative leave for the remainder of that season.”

Bauer has denied the allegations at every turn, and there were no legal repercussions. The 32-year-old pitcher insisted that the Dodgers asked him to come back to the organization after his suspension, something the team has denied. They released a statement following Bauer’s release:

“The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused,” the team wrote. “From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.”

It’s unclear when Bauer will make his debut at this time.

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