Is Trevor Bauer inching his way back to Major League Baseball? Bauer has played internationally since the Dodgers released him in 2023, after Bauer was reinstated early from a 364-game suspension for violation of the league's personal conduct policy, related to sexual assault and abuse allegations.
Bauer, 35, has signed with the Long Island Ducks of American League Pro Baseball, an MLB-affiliated independent league headquartered in Lancaster, Pa. He issued a brief statement, saying "I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season. The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition."
Former Pirates starter Rich Hill and current Royals reliever Jose Cuas are among the dozen former Ducks to reach or return to MLB. the etam plays in Central Islip, N.Y.
Bauer had success with Yokohama of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2023 and with Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican Baseball League, going a combined 21-4, with a 2.55 ERA, with a 1.100 WHIP and 280 strikeout in 240 innings pitched (10.5 per nine innings). Her returned to Yokohama for the 2025 season and fared poorly, going 4-10 with a 4.51 ERA and 1.365 WHIP, with his strikeouts per nine innings dropped to 8.2.
My take: A last gasp. Bauer isn't getting any younger and the weight of his ban and allegations behind them are enough to keep teams away. I still believe some contender who suffers a significant rotation injury will make the call eventually, if he can be a model citizen for the Ducks. Having him stateside makes that easier, too.
THE ASYLUM
Bauer to pitch in U.S.
Is Trevor Bauer inching his way back to Major League Baseball? Bauer has played internationally since the Dodgers released him in 2023, after Bauer was reinstated early from a 364-game suspension for violation of the league's personal conduct policy, related to sexual assault and abuse allegations.
Bauer, 35, has signed with the Long Island Ducks of American League Pro Baseball, an MLB-affiliated independent league headquartered in Lancaster, Pa. He issued a brief statement, saying "I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season. The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition."
Former Pirates starter Rich Hill and current Royals reliever Jose Cuas are among the dozen former Ducks to reach or return to MLB. the etam plays in Central Islip, N.Y.
Bauer had success with Yokohama of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2023 and with Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican Baseball League, going a combined 21-4, with a 2.55 ERA, with a 1.100 WHIP and 280 strikeout in 240 innings pitched (10.5 per nine innings). Her returned to Yokohama for the 2025 season and fared poorly, going 4-10 with a 4.51 ERA and 1.365 WHIP, with his strikeouts per nine innings dropped to 8.2.
My take: A last gasp. Bauer isn't getting any younger and the weight of his ban and allegations behind them are enough to keep teams away. I still believe some contender who suffers a significant rotation injury will make the call eventually, if he can be a model citizen for the Ducks. Having him stateside makes that easier, too.
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