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Dodgers DFA Bauer with $22.5M remaining on contract

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are designating right-hander Trevor Bauer for assignment.

"The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused," the Dodgers said in a statement Friday. "From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball's investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

"Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case - one by Commissioner Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator - concluded that Mr. Bauer's actions warranted the longest ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization."

Bauer responded to the decision with a statement of his own.

"While we were unable to communicate throughout the administrative process, my representatives spoke to Dodgers leadership immediately following the arbitration decision," the statement read.

"Following two weeks of conversations around my return to the organization, I sat down with Dodgers leadership in Arizona yesterday, who told me that they wanted me to return and pitch for the team this year.

"While I am disappointed by the organization's decision today, I appreciate the wealth of support I've received from the Dodgers clubhouse. I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere."

The move comes two weeks after an independent arbitrator reduced Bauer's suspension for violating Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy from a record 324 games to 194 following Bauer's appeal. He will still be docked pay for 50 games in 2023 but is eligible to pitch in the majors again on Opening Day if another team signs him, as the arbitrator credited him for the time he served on MLB's restricted list in the second half of the 2021 season.

Bauer's suspension remains the longest in MLB history under the policy despite the reduction.

The Dodgers had until Friday to decide whether or not to activate Bauer to their 40-man roster. If they release him, they remain responsible for his 2023 salary of approximately $22.5 million, minus the minimum salary he'd receive from signing elsewhere.

Bauer has been publicly accused of sexual assault by three women, one of whom unsuccessfully attempted to secure a restraining order against him. All three say they initially consented to sex, but Bauer choked them and struck them without consent during the encounters. Bauer has maintained that all of the sexual acts with the women were consensual, and he has not been charged with any crime.

The 31-year-old only pitched in 17 games for the Dodgers after signing a three-year, $102-million contract before the 2021 season. Los Angeles placed him on the restricted list July 2, 2021, after MLB opened its investigation. The league officially suspended him April 29 of last year.

As a result of the 194-game suspension, Bauer will lose over $37 million in pay. That amount covers the final 144 games of last season and the first 50 games of 2023, the latter of which will be credited as time served.

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