Currently on Administrative Leave as the league investigates serious allegations of physical and sexual violence, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer isn’t likely to be back any time soon. You can read the details on the allegations here at The Athletic and/or here at ESPN, but if you haven’t read them yet, be advised, they are graphic and disturbing.
Bauer was initially placed on leave back on July 2, but that leave has been extended at least through July 27, which is notably four days after a hearing on the temporary restraining order that has been granted against him in favor of the alleged victim in the case. Bauer has denied any wrongdoing.
From MLB’s perspective, the case is proceeding under the league’s domestic violence policy, which may impose punishment regardless of legal proceedings. That there has been no agreed-upon resolution between Bauer and the league – which has been fairly common in these situations – suggests Bauer and his legal team intend to take this through the temporary restraining order hearing and see where things stand thereafter.
It’s very difficult to read the allegations and see how this resolves in a positive way for Bauer, or how he will ever pick up another baseball in MLB. But this is the process to which he is entitled by the joint agreement between the league and the players. Separately, no charges have been filed against Bauer at the criminal level, though the allegations remain under investigation. The Pasadena Police Department, which had already been investigating the allegations before the news broke earlier this month, indicated that its investigation is “bigger than we thought.”