Trevor Bauer, a former Cy Young winner, is currently making a comeback bid, which recently led him to the backfields at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training complex. During this time, Bauer pitched three scoreless innings against Dodgers minor leaguers while representing the Asian Breeze, a pay-to-play barnstorming team predominantly composed of amateur players aiming to attract scout attention.
Released by the Dodgers in January 2023 after enduring the lengthiest suspension in MLB’s domestic violence policy history, Bauer expressed disappointment at not securing another chance to pitch in the major leagues following his recent performance on Sunday.
“I believe I should have the chance to sign with a Major League team,” Bauer stated, as reported by ESPN. “I’m simply requesting the league minimum, so finances aren’t the issue. I’ve already completed my suspension, twice over. Legal proceedings have cleared me of any wrongdoing. When you consider it logically, there’s truly no valid reason why I shouldn’t be employed. Yet, here I am without a job. It is what it is. Let’s observe how things unfold. I’m not one to predict the future. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Despite Trevor Bauer’s willingness to accept the minimum salary, set at $740,000 for 2024, from a Major League Baseball team, none have opted to take him up on his offer thus far. The 2023 season marked the conclusion of Bauer’s three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers. His suspension resulted in an approximate loss of $40 million in salary.
Now 33 years old, Bauer received a 324-game suspension following allegations from two women regarding violent incidents during consensual sexual encounters. Subsequently, two additional women came forward with similar allegations. While the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office opted not to pursue criminal charges against Bauer, he reached out-of-court settlements in civil lawsuits with one of the women. Following an appeal, his suspension was reduced to 194 games.
Following his departure from the Dodgers, Bauer spent the 2023 season with the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars in Japan, where he boasted an impressive record of 11-4 with a 2.59 ERA over 156 2/3 innings pitched. Throughout his career in Major League Baseball spanning ten seasons, Bauer has accumulated a record of 83 wins and 69 losses, with a career ERA of 3.79. Notably, he secured the NL Cy Young award with the Cincinnati Reds during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers share the Camelback Ranch spring training complex with the Chicago White Sox. It remains uncertain whether the Dodgers were informed in advance about Bauer’s scheduled pitching session at their facility on Sunday, prior to the announcement by the Breeze.