Arbitrator’s Order upholds Baseball’s Longest-ever Active Player Suspension for Sexual Abuse or Domestic Violence
Bauer has not played since June 2021, when a San Diego woman claimed he had sexually assaulted her. He was placed on administrative leave by the league the following month. A Cy Young Award winner, Bauer denied the allegations and maintained that his encounters with the woman were fully consensual.
“We have just been informed of the arbitrator’s ruling and will comment as soon as practical,” the Dodgers said in a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday.
The lawsuit said that “the damage to Mr. Bauer has been extreme” after the woman alleged that he had choked her into unconsciousness, punched her repeatedly and had anal sex with her without her consent during two sexual encounters last year.
“While we believe a longer suspension was warranted, MLB will abide by the neutral arbitrator’s decision, which upholds baseball’s longest-ever active player suspension for sexual assault or domestic violence,” MLB said in a statement. We thank the witnesses for their participation, because it was difficult for them.
The witnesses were involved in the process and they were thanked for their participation. Due to the collectively-bargained confidentiality provisions of the joint program, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
The Dodgers Management of a Former Cy Young Award Winner: A Response to Bauer’s Comments on the ERA, Sexual Abuse and Child Abuse Charges
The players’ association filed a grievance on behalf of the former Cy Young Award winner, and a three-person panel headed by independent arbitrator Martin Scheinman started hearing the case on May 23.
The suspension will cost Bauer $37,594,233 from his $102 million, three-year contract: $28,131,868 of his $32 million salary in 2022 and $9,462,365 of his $32 million salary in 2023.
The money not paid to Bauer will be reflected on the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll, cutting the amount of tax they must pay this year and are projected to pay in 2023.
After winning his second consecutive Cy Young with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Bauer moved to his hometown Dodgers. He finished with an 8-2 record and a 2.59ERA in 17 appearances after not pitching for a few months.
“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. We have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation since the beginning, and followed the procedures stipulated in the MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual assault and Child Abuse Policy.
He said he appreciated the support he had received from the Dodgers, while he was disappointed by the decision. “I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere.”