The Dodgers opted not to keep pitcher Trevor Bauer on the team after sexual assault allegations led Major League Baseball to keep him off the field for more than a year.
Bauer's contract was "designated for assignment," which means the organization will not be placing him in the 40-player roster going into the next season.
"The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault, or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused," the Dodgers said in a statement Friday. "Now that this process has been completed and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of the organization."
In response to the Dodgers decision, Bauer put out a statement via his legal team, saying he was disappointed in the team's decision.
"While we were unable to communicate throughout the administrative leave and arbitration process, my representatives spoke to Dodgers leadership immediately following the arbitration decision," the statement said. "Following two weeks of conversations around my return to the organization, I sat down with Dodgers leadership in Arizona yesterday who told me that they wanted me to return and pitch for 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. I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere."
In February of 2022, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced it would not file criminal charges against Bauer after reviewing the investigation conducted by Pasadena PD.
The L.A. district attorney's office said it could not “prove the relevant charges beyond reasonable doubt,” leaving any further punishment up to MLB.
The league attempted to hand Bauer a suspension that carried into the 2023 season, but an independent arbitrator reduced the suspension to "time served," allowing Bauer to return to the field.
Despite Bauer being designated for assignment, the Dodgers will continue to pay him the remaining $22.5 million on his contract, with any other team able to sign him for a league minimum of $720,000.
Bauer refuted claims made by the accuser, at one point saying, "the judge’s legal detailed decision is available and it speaks for itself."
In October of 2021, Bauer's legal team commented on the allegations, saying, "Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the woman] beginning in April 2021," adding that both encounters ended with the woman leaving Bauer's residence "without incidence."
Dodgers: Full Statement:
"The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused," the team said in a statement Friday. "From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball's investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
"Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case -- one by Commissioner 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. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization."
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