Trevor Bower commentary: Dodgers player reinstated once ban cut from 324 games to 194

An arbitrator has reduced the ban of Los Angeles Dodgers Gary Trevor Bauer over the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy from 324 games to 194 games, Major League Baseball announced Thursday night. It remains the longest suspension under the policy in league history.

“We have just been notified of the arbitrator’s decision and will be commenting as soon as possible,” the Dodgers said in a statement after the league’s announcement.

Bauer’s reinstatement from the restricted list is effective immediately, though Rule 2(c) gives the Dodgers two weeks to officially reinstate him to their roster. They have until January 6th to activate or release Power. The Dodgers will owe Bauer his 2022 salary no matter what, though they plan to release him rather than add him to their active roster.

Here is the MLB statement:

Today, the MLB and MLBPA-selected neutral arbitrator confirmed that Trevor Bauer violated Major League Baseball’s common domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy.

After an exhaustive review of the available evidence, the neutral arbitrator upheld an unpaid 194-game suspension. As part of the decision, the arbitrator immediately reinstated Mr. Bauer, with a loss of wages covering the 144 games he was suspended during the 2022 season. In addition, he The arbitrator will reduce 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 is warranted, MLB will abide by the decision of a neutral arbitrator, which upholds the longest suspension for players in baseball due to sexual assault or domestic violence.

“We understand that this process has been difficult for the witnesses involved and we thank them for their participation. Due to the confidentiality provisions collectively negotiated in the joint program, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”

Bauer, 31, has not participated since June 28, 2021. Days after that start, he was charged with assault and placed on administrative leave by MLB while an investigation took place. The Pasadena Police Department conducted its own investigation, but announced on February 8 that Bauer would not face criminal charges in connection with the allegations. MLB’s collectively negotiated domestic violence policy allowed Bauer to be disciplined even though no criminal charges were filed.

In late June 2021, The Athletic reported details of a woman’s encounters with Power, which she says were initially consensual. The woman said, “I consented to the consensual sex, but I did not consent to or consent to what he did afterward. I did not consent to the sexual assault.” The Athletic report, which includes graphic details from the request for a restraining order, can be found here, including allegations that Bauer choked and punched the woman.

Bauer, the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, started 17 games for the Dodgers in 2021 before being placed on vacation. The Dodgers signed him to a three-year, $102 million contract extension in February 2021. The contract included opt-out clauses after each season. Bauer will lose $37.5 million of the $102 million due to the suspension. It would have been close to $60 million had the full 324-game suspension stayed in place.