The Los Angeles Dodgers cannot kick the Trevor Bauer can down the road any longer.
According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, Bauer’s 324 game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy has been reduced to 194 games. Based on the length of the suspension, and his time served while on administrative leave, Bauer is eligible to pitch immediately.
Clock is ticking on Los Angeles Dodgers to make Trevor Bauer decision
This decision to reduce Bauer’s decision, and give him credit for that time while he was on administrative leave, puts the onus directly on the Dodgers. They can no longer hide behind the suspension or let Major League Baseball handle things. As Gonzalez further reported, the Dodgers now have 24 days to decide whether or not to reinstate Bauer to their 40 man roster.
It may not take that long. According to Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers are going to release Bauer, although nothing has been announced at this point. Considering that there were reports back in 2021 that his former teammates did not want him back, such a move would not be a surprise at all.
It is also fair to wonder if Bauer will find another major league team willing to bring him on board. There is no questioning his results when he is on the mound but teams are very public relations conscious these days. He would help a team win, especially as any team bringing him on board would only pay the league minimum, but it is a matter of whether or not any team wants to navigate that potential circus.
The same holds true for the Dodgers. Bauer would allow them to fortify a rotation that does have several question marks due to injury and workload. At the same time, his presence may not be worth the headache. He is already a sunk cost; the Dodgers just need to decide what they are going to do.
The Los Angeles Dodgers can no longer kick the Trevor Bauer can down the road. Now that his suspension is over, it is time to make a decision.