Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Trevor Bauer Leave Extended As MLB Looks Into Sex Assault Allegations

Bruce Haring
·3 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

UPDATE: Major League Baseball has tacked on another seven days to the administrative leave of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. The league is investigating sexual assault allegations against him and this add-on comes on the final day of Bauer’s original leave.

The latest extension comes with the approval of the powerful MLB Players Association.

More from Deadline

The Pasadena Police Department and MLB are looking into a woman’s allegations that Bauer choked her out and punched her during consensual sex, the latter actions being non-consensual. She ha claimed injuries that required hospitalization.

Bauer’s co-agents, Rachel Luba and Jon Fetterolf, released a statement shortly after MLB’s announcement today.

“We continue to refute [the woman’s] allegations in the strongest possible terms and Mr. Bauer vehemently denies her account of their two meetings,” the statement said. “Again, administrative leave is neither a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league’s investigation.”

Bauer is one of MLB’s top pitchers. He is being paid and has not lost any service time while the allegations are investigated, but is not with the team.

EARLIER: Los Angeles Dodger Trevor Bauer, one of baseball’s top pitchers, has been placed on a seven-day administrative leave by Major League Baseball as sexual assault allegations levied against him are investigated.

Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers this winter as the game’s top free agent pitcher. That’s after winning the 2020 National League Cy Young Award as the league’s best pitcher while with the Cincinnati Reds.

He currently leads the National League in innings pitched and strikeouts while posting an 8-5 record. Bauer will miss his scheduled Sunday start because of the administrative leave.

“MLB’s investigation into the allegations made against Trevor Bauer is ongoing,” the league said in a statement. “While no determination in the case has been made, we have made the decision to place Mr. Bauer on seven-day administrative league effective immediately. MLB continue to collect information in our ongoing investigation concurrent with the Pasadena Police Department’s active criminal investigation. We will comment further at the appropriate time.”

Bauer’s co-agents John Fetterolf and Rachel Luba said their client will not appeal the decision to place him on leave.

“Mr. Bauer will not appeal MLB’s decision to place him on administrative leave at this time in an effort to minimize any distraction to the Dodgers organization and to his teammates,” they wrote. “Of note, administrative leave is neither a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league’s investigation.”

Bauer’s situation stems from charges of domestic violence and sexual assault at his Pasadena home made by a 27-year-old woman he met via Instagram. The two engaged in consensual sex, but the woman alleges Bauer went further than she wished, choking her unconscious and punching her during their encounters.

The Pasadena Police Department confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday that Bauer was currently under investigation. The graphic incidents allegedly happened in April and May, and a 68-page restraining order file by the victim showed visible injuries allegedly stemming from their rough sexual activities.

A hearing on the charges will take place on July 23.

MLB’s administrative leave is not considered a suspension, and the 30-year-old Bauer will still receive his full salary. MLB can request an extension of seven additional days with consent from the Players Assn.

Bauer was not in attendance at the White House Friday when the team was congratulated by President Joe Biden for the 2020 World Series title.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.