Los Angeles Dodgers: Trevor Bauer finally placed on leave

Back on June 29, news broke that Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was being investigated by the Pasadena Police Department for assault on a female acquaintance. Bauer claimed that the encounters were merely just “rough sex” and had the text messages to prove it. Nonetheless, Major League Baseball had the authority to immediately place Bauer on leave once the investigation was announced.

Instead, they waited. And waited. Finally, after a great deal of outcry, MLB got around to placing Bauer on leave Friday afternoon.

MLB botched punishment of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer

By all rights, MLB could have placed Bauer on leave the second this investigation was announced. They had done so many times before with other players, but declined to do so here. Instead, they waited until public outcry got to the point where even Ken Rosenthal was questioning the logic of the league dragging their feet on Bauer.

There is a phrase that says “Better late than never.” That phrase is certainly applicable in many cases, as it is eventually better to do the right thing than to do nothing at all. But there are times when that simply does not work.

Such is the case here. The league has often placed players on leave while their investigation is ongoing, or even before it truly begins. Bauer may continue to deny the allegations, but so had other players that were placed on leave. Even most of those who did not face charges received discipline from MLB in short order.

That was not the case here. Although MLB eventually did the right thing, and will be able to indefinitely extend his leave, that should have been done far before Friday. This had put the Dodgers in a difficult spot, as they had to go into the weekend expecting Bauer to pitch on Sunday.

Major League Baseball has finally gotten around to placing Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer on leave. It took far longer than it should have.