Seth Udinski, FISM News
In a troubling development in baseball, another star player is embroiled in a legal scandal. Trevor Bauer, a pricey free agent pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers and winner of the 2020 NL Cy Young Award, was suspended several weeks ago following allegations that he had sexually abused a woman in the spring of 2021. According to reports, Bauer had choked her almost to a point of losing consciousness and had also beaten and raped her. Bauer, through his legal team, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the encounters were consensual.
His suspension, which is in actuality a paid leave of absence at this time, has been extended an extra week as investigations continue. According to ESPN, both the Pasedena Police Department and Major League Baseball are investigating the allegations.
The Dodgers are in a tricky situation while the investigation is still ongoing. Bauer was supposed to be an integral part of the team’s bid at a repeat championship, and as the 2020 NL Cy Young winner, expectations were high. The team gave him a hefty three year, $102 million contract at the start of this season, but now there is a chance that Bauer may never play baseball again, if he is proven guilty in the findings. The Dodgers called off the scheduled Trevor Bauer bobblehead giveaway night, originally planned for the team’s August 19 home game, and also temporarily ceased selling all team merchandise relating to the star pitcher (such as jerseys) until the investigation concludes.