For administrative purposes, Los Angeles DodgersThe pitcher Trevor BauerHe has been granted an extension for a further week, through August 20th — his fifth extension — according to ESPN sources on Friday.
August 16-19, L.A. Superior Court will host a civil hearing regarding the temporary restraining orders against Bauer. Bauer’s legal team requested a second hearing.
MLB has the power to unilaterally suspend a player for up 7 days as part of a policy on domestic violence. But, it must first get consent from the MLB Players Association. Bauer has not been with the Dodgers for over seven days. initially being placed on leaveJuly 2.
A woman has accused Bauer (30) of choking her to unconsciousness, punching her several times, and leaving her with severe injuries. The incident occurred during two sexual encounters in early this year. ESPN obtained copies of the domestic violence restraining orders filed at L.A. County Superior Court June 28.
Temporary restraining orders are ex parte and can be reached without the input of either party. Bauer’s side strongly denies the accusations of sexual assault. He called the interaction between the woman and him “wholly consensual”, and stated in a previous statement that Bauer “vehemently denied” her accounts of the two encounters.
After Bauer’s lawyers requested additional time to prepare defenses against witnesses and exhibits that they had not received the night prior to the hearing, the initial hearing was held to determine whether or not the temporary restraining orders would be made permanent. It took place on July 23, but the hearing was pushed back six days. On July 29, a continuance was granted.
The woman and Bauer both attended the first hearing. Bauer was represented by his legal team who told him that they have advised him not be a witness due to ongoing investigations. But the petitioner stated that he had to take the stand regardless of whether he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against answering questions. Each side will summon up to 10 witnesses.
Bauer was the winner of the 2020 National League Cy Young Award. He joined the Dodgers with a record setting three-year contract worth $102 million that included two opt out clauses.
Alden Gonzalez from ESPN contributed to this report.