For the primary time in practically three years, Trevor Bauer pitched in opposition to skilled hitters in the USA, and so they have been members of his former group, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Sunday afternoon.
Bauer was pitching for the Asian Breeze, an unbiased group based mostly in Japan that performs exhibition video games in opposition to minor leaguers in hopes to be a magnet for scouts, in his first recreation within the States since he was suspended a document 194 days for violating MLB’s home violence and sexual assault coverage.
Bauer was initially hit with a 324-game suspension in April 2022, which got here 10 months after he was positioned on administrative go away on account of sexual assault allegations. His suspension was later lowered, however the Dodgers launched him.
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With many followers readily available to see Bauer pitch, together with some carrying “Carry Again Bauer” T-shirts, the 33-year-old righthander dominated his minor league opponents.
Bauer’s fastball reportedly topped out at 99 mph a number of occasions as he went on to document 4 strikeouts in opposition to 12 batters. Three of the batters Bauer confronted have been on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster: outfielder Andy Pages and catchers Diego Cartaya and Hunter Feduccia.
Simply this time three years in the past, Bauer was able to play in opposition to among the finest within the recreation after signing a three-year, $102 million deal to affix the Dodgers.
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However now he’s enjoying in hopes of getting again into the league, although studies say no Dodgers or MLB scout was within the stands to observe him pitch.
“I imply, if you consider it, I ought to have the chance to signal with a giant league group,” Bauer informed a scrum of media members, per ESPN. “I am simply asking for the league minimal, so it is not a cash factor. I’ve served my suspension twice over. I have been cleared of every part within the authorized system. If you consider it logically, there’s actually no purpose I should not have a job.
“However I do not. So, it’s what it’s. We’ll see the way it performs out. I do not wish to predict the long run. We’ll see.”
After his Dodgers launch, Bauer went to Japan to pitch for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars. He owned a powerful 2.59 ERA over 156.2 innings in 24 video games at two completely different ranges for the Baystars. Bauer struck out 160 batters and walked simply 34.
“I simply keep prepared and possibly individuals by some means will keep in mind that I’m nonetheless the most effective pitchers on this planet,” Bauer stated, per USA Right this moment.
Bauer was initially presupposed to pitch on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ advanced with the Asian Breeze on Saturday, however his begin bought moved.
ESPN discovered a supply near Bauer stated that him enjoying on the Dodgers’ grounds was cleared with the group.
“I do not actually care who I pitch in opposition to, truthfully,” Bauer stated when requested the way it felt dealing with a Dodgers squad. “I identical to to pitch. Hopefully, they loved it and had fun. I attempted to get pleasure from it and have a very good time, tried to entertain the followers, which is what I at all times attempt to do. Dodgers or some other group, it does not actually matter, I simply get pleasure from pitching.”
Bauer stated he’s a greater pitcher now since enjoying in Japan. He returned to the States with a splitter in his pitching arsenal in addition to his heater, which gained velocity abroad.
“Hopefully, at this time reminded them that I am nonetheless an elite pitcher. If not, that is nice, too,” he stated.
The final time Bauer was on an MLB mound was the 2021 season for the Dodgers, the place he pitched to a 2.59 ERA over 17 begins (107.2 innings) with 137 strikeouts.
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