Bauer: MLB swept foreign-substance issue 'under the rug' for 4 years

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Trevor Bauer feels vindicated after hearing Major League Baseball is reportedly planning to crack down on the use of foreign substances by pitchers to increase spin rate.

"If they're serious about the rule that's on the books, then that's all that I wanted for four years ... I just want everyone to be on a fair playing field," Bauer said Sunday, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Bauer acknowledged the league has turned a blind eye to the issue for a long time.

"If you're going to enforce it, then enforce it. If not, then stop sweeping it under the rug which is what they've done for four years now," the reigning NL Cy Young winner added.

In May 2018, Bauer, then a member of the Cleveland Indians, insinuated the Houston Astros' trio of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton were doctoring baseballs to increase spin rate. The pitchers' teammates, Lance McCullers Jr., Collin McHugh, and Alex Bregman, publicly discredited Bauer for his observations on Twitter.

The league is now reportedly planning to have umpires randomly check hurlers 8-10 times per game and could withhold pay for culprits.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson wondered about Cole's spin rate declining in his most recent start, which happened two days after news broke that four minor-league pitchers were suspended for using foreign substances.