On Thursday, Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the MLB Players Association, extended the administrative leave for Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Bauer was placed on leave once the lockout ended last week. Mandatory reporting day for each MLB player was Sunday, March 13, so the initial leave was March 13-19.
This time around, the administrative leave for Bauer runs through Sunday, April 16. Take note that the regular season for the Dodgers starts on April 8 and they'll be playing their 16th game on the 16th.
Bauer last pitched on June 28 last season. In the days following that start, he was accused of sexual assault and then was placed on administrative leave, eventually, via extensions, for the rest of the season (much of the extensions being one week at a time). On Feb. 8, we learned that Bauer wouldn't face criminal charges on the matter.
This doesn't, however, prevent MLB from suspending Bauer. It has previously suspended multiple players after charges have been dropped. The league is fully within its rights under the domestic violence and sexual assault policy to continue its investigation and then apply any punishment it deems fits at the conclusion of said investigation.
To this point, the only thing the league has said is that the investigation is ongoing.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Bauer's status last Friday and he said he won't "close the door completely" (via Juan Toribio) on Bauer joining the team in spring training.
Bauer, 31, signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers prior to last season. He was 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 137 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings with the Dodgers before he was placed on leave.
