NEWSLETTER
The league-imposed suspension on Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, levied under the joint domestic violence policy, has been dramatically reduced upon appeal, and he is being reinstated.
The league’s statement on the decision, via MLBTR:
“Today, the neutral arbitrator selected by MLB and the MLBPA affirmed that Trevor Bauer violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” the league said in a statement. “After an exhaustive review of the available evidence the neutral arbitrator upheld an unpaid suspension of 194 games. As part of the decision, the arbitrator reinstated Mr. Bauer effectively immediately, with a loss of pay covering the 144 games he was suspended during the 2022 season. 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). 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.
We understand this process was difficult for the witnesses involved and we thank them for their participation. Due to the collectively bargained confidentiality provisions of the joint program, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
The Dodgers have a little over two weeks to decide what they’re going to do, but I think everyone expects he will be released. They will have to eat about $25 million in 2023 salary to release him. If they do, Bauer will then be free to sign with any other club for the league minimum or even on a minor league deal. He hasn’t pitched since mid-2021, and obviously there are significant non-baseball considerations that will go into any organization’s decision to bring him on board.
