By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday said Trevor Bauer “will no longer be part” of the organization after the right-handed pitcher served a lengthy suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy.
The Dodgers designated the 31-year-old former Cy Young award winner for assignment and have 10 days to trade or release him, the Los Angeles Times reported.
His suspension came after an MLB investigation into allegations of sexual assault made by a San Diego woman found him in violation of the policy. Two other women have also made allegations against Bauer, who has not pitched since June 28, 2021.
Bauer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in February declined to press charges against him.
The team, which signed the Los Angeles native to a three-year, $102 million free-agent deal in February 2021, said they cooperated with the investigation, which ended with a 324-game suspension – two full seasons – without pay.
An independent arbitrator backed MLB’s findings, but reduced the length of the suspension to 194 games on Dec. 22.
“Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner Rob Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy,” the Dodgers said in a statement.
“Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”
Bauer said he sat down with Dodgers leadership on Thursday in Arizona, who told him they wanted him to return to the team this year.
“While I am disappointed by the organization’s decision today, I appreciate the wealth of support I’ve received from the Dodgers clubhouse,” Bauer said in a statement. “I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere.”
The Dodgers will pay the remaining $22.5 million left on Bauer’s salary, USA Today reported.
The Texas Rangers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and his former team the Cincinnati Reds are among potential landing spots for the former All-Star.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler)
