NL West

The following article discusses sensitive details regarding allegations of intimate partner violence.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Trevor Bauer has been placed on seven-day administrative leave after a woman said he sexually assaulted her twice.

MLB issued a statement announcing Bauer's leave will begin on Friday:

Bauer won't appeal the decision, per a statement released by his agents Rachel Luba and Jon Fetterolf to ESPN's Jeff Passan:

TMZ Sports first reported on June 29 that police in Pasadena, California, were looking into an allegation against the 2020 National League Cy Young winner. The woman received a temporary ex parte domestic violence restraining order against him. No criminal charges have been filed at this time. 

Fetterolf released a statement saying Bauer and the woman "had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship." He also alleged the woman had asked Bauer in documented text exchanges to "choke [her] out." 

Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic subsequently reported the allegations made by the woman in the court document she submitted in her request for the restraining order.

The woman said she and Bauer first started talking on Instagram in April and that they met on two occasions—April 21 and May 15.

During their first meeting, the woman said she initially consented to sex but that Bauer went further than she wanted. The woman said he wrapped her hair around her neck and choked her and she "lost consciousness." She alleged Bauer penetrated her anally while she was unconscious and that "she was bleeding from her anus and barely able to walk" after. The woman said she told Bauer afterward that she "didn't enjoy when he commenced having anal sex with her."

Bauer and the woman resumed talking for weeks after their first meeting until Bauer invited her to his home in May:

"About five minutes into sex, she said that he began choking her again, at which point she lost consciousness and 'was unable to speak or move my body.' She says when she regained consciousness, Bauer was punching her head: 'This was the first punch I felt but it is very possible that Trevor had already been punching and scratching the right side of my face while I was unconscious. Trevor then punched me hard with a closed fist to the left side of my jaw, the left side of my head, and both cheekbones. I remember this vividly and it was extremely startling and painful. I was absolutely frozen and terrified. I could not speak or move. After punching me several times, he then flipped me back onto my stomach and began choking me with hair. I lost consciousness again.'"

According to Ghiroli and Strang, the woman said she suffered two black eyes, a bloodied lip and bruising to one side of her face. Having undergone medical treatment, including a sexual assault examination, at multiple facilities, the woman said she was told she had suffered "significant head and facial trauma."

Ghiroli and Strang provided a statement from Bryan Freedman, the woman's attorney:

"Without going into detail for the benefit of both my client and Mr. Bauer, the pictures evidencing the unconsented abuse do not lie. Any suggestion that she was not the victim of assault is not only false and defamatory but, in fact, perpetuates the abuse. Our client truly wants Mr. Bauer to engage in a medically appropriate therapeutic process where he can receive the treatment he needs to never act this way again. If he is willing to meaningfully participate in a process directed by appropriate professionals, it will go a long way toward allowing her to feel safe and resolving this matter. But, regardless, she cannot allow this to happen unknowingly to anyone else."

The Dodgers said they became aware of the allegations on June 29 and quickly reached out to MLB. MLB officials offered a similar statement and said the league was looking into the situation.

Under the terms of a joint agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association, Commissioner Rob Manfred can place a player on administrative leave for seven days while any investigation is ongoing into allegations of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. Manfred can extend the administrative leave in seven-day increments.

ESPN's Jeff Passan and Alden Gonzalez reported July 1 that MLB would likely wait to make a decision pending an investigation by authorities and/or league personnel.

The following article discusses sensitive details regarding allegations of sexual assault.

Sports agent Rachel Luba released a statement of support for client Trevor Bauer on Thursday amid an ongoing sexual assault investigation in Southern California. 

In a tweet sent from Luba's personal account, Luba called the allegations against Bauer false, alluding to exculpatory evidence that has not yet been made public. 

A 67-page ex-parte document filed by the unnamed woman alleges Bauer engaged in graphic sexual violence on two occasions, including "punching her in the face, vagina, and buttocks, sticking his fingers down her throat, and strangling her to the point where she lost consciousness multiple times." The woman alleges she awoke during one episode to Bauer penetrating her anally without consent. 

On Wednesday, police in Pasadena, California, said they opened an investigation into Bauer several weeks ago. The woman reported the assaults took place on April 21, 2021, and May 15, 2021. 

In court documents reviewed by Katie Strang and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, the woman included medical notes showing she suffered "two black eyes, a bloodied swollen lip, significant bruising and scratching to one side of her face."

In a separate statement, Bauer's co-agent, Jon Fetterolf, denied all allegations against the pitcher:

Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the woman] beginning in April 2021. We have messages that show [the woman] repeatedly asking for 'rough' sexual encounters involving requests to be 'choked out' and slapped in the face. In both of their encounters, [the woman] drove from San Diego to Mr. Bauer's residence in Pasadena, Calif. where she went on to dictate what she wanted from him sexually and he did what was asked.

Following each of her only two meetings with Mr. Bauer, [the woman] spent the night and left without incident, continuing to message Mr. Bauer with friendly and flirtatious banter. In the days following their second and final encounter, [the woman] shared photos of herself and indicated that she had sought medical care for a concussion. Mr. Bauer responded with concern and confusion, and [the woman] was neither angry nor accusatory.

Mr. Bauer and [the woman] have not corresponded in over a month and have not seen each other in over six weeks. Her basis for filing a protection order is nonexistent, fraudulent, and deliberately omits key facts, information, and her own relevant communications. Any allegations that the pair's encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Bauer is scheduled to start for the Dodgers on Sunday when the team visits the Washington Nationals. When discussing the matter Thursday, manager Dave Roberts told reporters the team was following MLB's guidance. 

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer is still scheduled to make his next start amid the Pasadena Police Department's ongoing investigation into a woman's allegation that the right-hander sexually assaulted her.

"It's out of our hands," Roberts told reporters Thursday in Washington, D.C., where the Dodgers are set to play the Washington Nationals for a four-game series. Roberts said the decision was based on the "recommendation" of MLB to "move forward" with Bauer's scheduled start.

Bauer, who is with the team, is slated to take the mound on Sunday. Per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, Roberts said he and Bauer spoke, but he did not reveal details from their talk.

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported more information about Major League Baseball's investigation into the matter:

MLB has opened an investigation into Bauer under its joint domestic violence policy with the players' union, sources told ESPN. MLB can place Bauer on a paid, seven-day administrative leave in the meantime, but given that no arrests have been made and Bauer denies the allegations, the league is expected to wait for either the police investigation or its internal investigation to play out before taking action.

TMZ Sports first reported that the Pasadena Police Department was looking into the allegation on Tuesday and that the woman received a temporary ex parte restraining order against Bauer.

Per Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic on Wednesday, the woman stated in a 67-page ex-parte document that Bauer sexually assaulted her once in April and a second time in May.

The woman said that both encounters started as consensual but that she did not provide consent for alleged acts done.

Of note, she said the alleged assaults involved Bauer "punching her in the face, vagina, and buttocks, sticking his fingers down her throat, and strangling her to the point where she lost consciousness multiple times."

The woman also said Bauer penetrated her anally after she lost consciousness.

She said her injuries included "two black eyes, a bloodied swollen lip, significant bruising and scratching to one side of her face" as well as "significant head and facial trauma." She was treated at a hospital for her injuries and underwent a sexual assault examination following the second alleged assault.

Jon Fetterolf, Bauer's agent, released a statement Tuesday declaring Bauer's innocence. The entire statement can be found below, via ESPN's Jeff Passan:

Bauer is in his 10th MLB season and first with the Dodgers. His start on Sunday will be the 18th appearance of his 2021 campaign.

The following article discusses sensitive details regarding allegations of sexual assault.

The Pasadena Police Department announced Tuesday that it opened an investigation several weeks ago into Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer after a woman said he sexually assaulted her in Pasadena, California.

On Wednesday, graphic details of the allegations were included as part of the woman's temporary ex parte restraining order against the pitcher, per Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic.

The woman said in the 67-page ex-parte document that the pitcher assaulted her on two separate occasions that "included Bauer punching her in the face, vagina, and buttocks, sticking his fingers down her throat, and strangling her to the point where she lost consciousness multiple times."

The woman said that she met Bauer on Instagram in April 2021 and traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles to meet him in person on April 21, which she said was when the first of the two encounters occurred. She said the second time occurred on the evening of May 15.

The woman said both encounters began in a consensual manner before Bauer committed acts that she did not provide consent for.

The woman also said the second encounter resulted in her suffering "two black eyes, a bloodied swollen lip, significant bruising and scratching to one side of her face," per Ghiroli and Strang. She said her medical notes also stated that she suffered "significant head and facial trauma" and that she showed signs of basilar skull fracture.

(Note: Following publication of this story, representatives for Bauer contacted Bleacher Report and noted that a later CT scan did not show the woman suffered an acute fracture of the skull despite the initial diagnosis reported by The Athletic.)

The woman also stated that she lost consciousness during the first encounter and woke up to Bauer penetrating her anally.

"I woke up face down on the bed, disoriented. I began realizing that he was having sex with me in my anus, which I never communicated that I wanted, nor did I consent," the woman said in the declaration, which was signed "under penalty of perjury of California state laws," per Ghiroli and Strang.

Bauer’s agent, Jon Fetterolf, denied the allegations in a statement released Tuesday.

Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the woman] beginning in April 2021. We have messages that show [the woman] repeatedly asking for 'rough' sexual encounters involving requests to be 'choked out' and slapped in the face. In both of their encounters, [the woman] drove from San Diego to Mr. Bauer's residence in Pasadena, Calif. where she went on to dictate what she wanted from him sexually and he did what was asked.

Following each of her only two meetings with Mr. Bauer, [the woman] spent the night and left without incident, continuing to message Mr. Bauer with friendly and flirtatious banter. In the days following their second and final encounter, [the woman] shared photos of herself and indicated that she had sought medical care for a concussion. Mr. Bauer responded with concern and confusion, and [the woman] was neither angry nor accusatory.

Mr. Bauer and [the woman] have not corresponded in over a month and have not seen each other in over six weeks. Her basis for filing a protection order is nonexistent, fraudulent, and deliberately omits key facts, information, and her own relevant communications. Any allegations that the pair's encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Bauer's camp declined any further comment than that statement when approached by Ghiroli and Strang.

Bryan Freedman, who is representing the woman in this case, stated the following to Ghiroli and Strang:

Without going into detail for the benefit of both my client and Mr. Bauer, the pictures evidencing the unconsented abuse do not lie. Any suggestion that she was not the victim of assault is not only false and defamatory but, in fact, perpetuates the abuse. Our client truly wants Mr. Bauer to engage in a medically appropriate therapeutic process where he can receive the treatment he needs to never act this way again. If he is willing to meaningfully participate in a process directed by appropriate professionals, it will go a long way toward allowing her to feel safe and resolving this matter. But, regardless, she cannot allow this to happen unknowingly to anyone else.

The Dodgers, who signed Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract last offseason, issued a statement, saying they were "made aware of the allegations against Trevor Bauer late this afternoon and immediately contacted Major League Baseball, which will be handling the matter" and that they "take any allegations of this nature very seriously but will have no further comment at this time."

The 30-year-old is still listed on the Dodgers' active roster and most recently started against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. He's made 17 starts for Los Angeles this year.

The right-hander has pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland, Cincinnati Reds and Dodgers over his 10-year MLB career.

Police in Pasadena, California, are investigating Los Angeles Dodgers star Trevor Bauer for an alleged assault, according to TMZ Sports.

The woman's attorney, Marc Garelick, said she "suffered severe physical and emotional pain." The woman was also granted a temporary ex parte restraining order.

TMZ Sports cited sources who said Bauer is "adamant the encounter was nothing more than consensual, rough sex with someone he met online."

Bauer's attorney, Jon Fetterolf, released a statement on the allegations:

The TMZ report also said the police are likely to forward the case to the district attorney's office.

The Dodgers haven't made an official statement regarding the story.

In the past, Bauer has received criticism for what many believed to be harassing and bullying behavior toward women on social media.

"All the conversations I've had with people across all walks of life over the last couple of years and all the things I've learned—I can say that I have learned from those," the 30-year-old said in February after signing with the Dodgers. "... I don't think that it makes any sense to dive into specific issues in this forum, but I am committed to being better on social media, being better on the field, being better in the clubhouse, being better in life in general."

Bauer has made 17 starts for Los Angeles. He has posted a 2.59 ERA and leads MLB with 137 strikeouts. The right-hander is in the first year of a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers.

Trevor Story's days with the Colorado Rockies are likely numbered, but it appears he wants to go out with a bang.

Story committed to participating in the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby at Coors Field on Monday:

This will be Story's first time participating in the Home Run Derby. The two-time All-Star appears unlikely to make his third appearance in 2021, hitting just .254/.327/.443 with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in so far this season.

"Naturally, you know what the circumstances are," Story told reporters earlier this month. "Almost every year is a contract year. You're playing baseball on those terms—a lot. So this is not the first time. So I wouldn't say that there is added pressure. I just want to play better to help my teammates and play better to help win games."

However, it appears he plans on sticking around the Denver area for the festivities regardless.

Story, an impending free agent this winter, has been the subject of near-constant trade rumors. It seems almost like a foregone conclusion a contender will acquire him before the deadline, with the Rockies well out of contention and unlikely to pony up the massive salary necessary to keep him in Colorado.

As it stands, All-Star Weekend might be a sort of farewell for Story with the Rockies. He has been with the Rockies organization since being a first-round pick in 2011. He made his MLB debut in 2016. 

San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham settled his lawsuit against Pacers Showgirls International after being stabbed in the parking lot of the San Diego strip club in October, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Pham sued the club for security negligence, saying in the lawsuit he suffered "catastrophic injuries, which have and will continue to cause him significant economic damage, including but not limited to his earning capacity as an elite professional baseball player."

"I beat them," Pham told Nightengale. "They ended up choosing to settle with me for the max. They got crushed. All of the evidence was there, they had to ante up."

Per that report, Pham proved during the civil trial that he was an innocent bystander who didn't have any alcohol in his system and didn't instigate the confrontation.

"I don't know what I could have done different," he said. "The video shows more than one guy showed up at my car, and I chose to defend myself. I guess I could have run, but I don't fear any man like that."

Pham's injuries required 200 stitches, and his slow start to the 2021 season—he was hitting just .182 as of May 21 before he started to find his groove again—could be attributed to the recovery process, as he started his weightlifting routine later in the year and still squats about 100 pounds less than his norm.

He's currently hitting .250 with seven homers and 24 RBI. Not horrible numbers, but hardly the impression he wants to make before becoming a free agent this winter.

"I'm working to get back my strength, and put up my power numbers that I know I'm capable of," he told Nightengale. "I can imagine by next month, my power numbers will really spike."

Prior to Joc Pederson's first game at Dodger Stadium as a visiting player, the Chicago Cubs outfielder received his 2020 World Series ring and got a special surprise from his former team. 

Per Alyssa Hertel of USA Today, Pederson's older brother, Champ, was also given a World Series ring by the Dodgers. 

Hertel noted that Champ, who has Down syndrome, has "been included in several activities with L.A. over the years."

Joc has been vocal about how close his relationship with Champ has been throughout their lives. They wrote a joint article for The Players' Tribune in 2016, with Joc describing his brother as someone who "brings this happiness out of people all the time."

In that same article, Joc noted that Dodgers executive vice president Lon Rosen brought Champ into the team's locker room during their celebration after clinching the National League West title in 2015. 

"Just before I could take in how surreal the moment actually was, I saw my brother Champ across the room. Goggles on. Pouring champagne on his head right along with the guys," he wrote. "Of course, he's not a player, but it was just natural to see Champ there."

Champ threw out the first pitch to Joc at Dodger Stadium in 2017 on Joc's bobblehead night before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. 

The Dodgers chose not to re-sign Pederson as a free agent during the offseason. He spent the previous eight seasons in Los Angeles, making one All-Star team and helping the franchise reach the World Series three times, including its win in 2020. 

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts is being held out of the lineup on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres with an illness, according to manager Dave Roberts. Betts is expected to arrive at the ballpark later in the evening and could be available to pinch hit, thought it appears unlikely. 

The absence of Betts comes as Cody Bellinger returns to the team after a stint on the 10-day injured list.

The 28-year-old Betts last missed time in late April after taking a pitch to the forearm against the Seattle Mariners. X-rays came back negative, giving the team hope his absence wouldn't last too long. The Dodgers are again hoping that's the case as Betts is one of the most irreplaceable players in the game. 

The four-time All-Star slashed .292/.366/.562 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI over 55 games in 2020, finishing second in MVP voting to Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman. While mostly batting leadoff in 2021, he has hit .249/.363/.456 with nine home runs. 

Fortunately for the Dodgers, they are among the best-positioned teams in baseball to deal overcome absences by stars. The amount of depth both on the big league roster and within their farm system are unrivaled. 

Between Zach McKinstry, Chris Taylor and A.J. Pollock, there are plenty of options to replace Betts in right field. In the event Betts misses multiple days and the team opts to bring in an additional outfielder, the Dodgers could dip into their farm system and bring up DJ Peters.