Pitcher Trevor Bauer, shunned by MLB, introduced by Japanese team

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — The Trevor Bauer period in Japan started Friday at an introductory news convention, the place he pulled a blue and white Yokohama DeNA BayStars jersey over a white shirt and crimson tie.

The 2020 Cy Young Award winner is in Japan on a one-year deal that would let him show himself and return to Major League Baseball, the place he was unable to seek out work this season even after an arbitrator decreased his unprecedented 324-game suspension for violating the league’s home violence and sexual assault coverage.

He was minimize in January by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who nonetheless owe him $22.5 million this season.

Editor’s Note: The following story offers with home violence and could also be distressing to some readers. If you or somebody is in want of assist, sources for Canadians will be discovered right here.

Not a single Japanese reporter requested him about his suspension within the United States or the circumstances surrounding it.

The solely query about it got here from The Associated Press. Bauer disputed the actual fact the query instructed he was suspended from the main leagues.

“I don’t believe that’s accurate,” he stated of the suspension. “But I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to pitch again. I’ve always wanted to play in Japan.”

He stated afterward the suspension dealt technically with problems with pay, and he stated he had contacted major-league groups about taking part in this yr. He would have been eligible, however he didn’t say if he had provides.

Bauer was launched by the Dodgers three weeks after an arbitrator decreased his suspension imposed by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred from 324 to 194 video games.

The penalty adopted an investigation into home violence allegations, which the pitcher has denied.

Manfred suspended Bauer final April for violating the league’s home violence and sexual assault coverage, after a San Diego lady stated he beat and sexually abused her in 2021.

Bauer has maintained he did nothing incorrect, saying the whole lot that occurred between him and the girl was consensual. He was by no means charged with against the law.

Bauer joined his hometown Dodgers earlier than the 2021 season and was 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 begins earlier than being positioned on paid go away.

Bauer stated his objective with the BayStars was to strike out 200 and hold his common fastball velocity at 96 mph — the latter is why he’ll put on No. 96. He stated he’s additionally engaged on a greater changeup pitch he known as a “break up change-up.”

He stated he hoped to play by mid-April — about two weeks after the Japanese season begins — and stated he has been coaching for the final 1 1/2 years.

“I’ve been doing a lot of strength training and throwing,” he stated. “I didn’t actually take any time without work. So I’ve had a yr and a half of improvement time. I’m stronger than ever. More highly effective than ever.”

Yokohama has not received a title in 25 years, and Bauer stated that was his objective within the one-year deal.

“First and foremost, I want to help the Stars win a championship,” he stated. “That involves pitching well. That involves helping teammates and learning from them. If they have questions — you know — share my knowledge with them.”

He additionally repeated a number of instances about his need to play in Japan, relationship from a collegiate match in 2009 on the Tokyo Dome. He stated taking part in in Japan whereas at UCLA was on his thoughts even earlier than profitable the Cy Young — and in addition instantly after.

“The Tokyo Dome was sold out,” he stated. “I’d by no means performed in entrance of that many individuals — in all probability mixed in my life. In the United States, school video games aren’t very massive, so seeing that quantity of ardour. How many individuals got here to a school sport in Japan. It actually struck me.”

He’s been practising with the Japanese ball, which he stated was barely softer with increased seams.

“But overall it just feels like a baseball and the pitches move the same. The velocity is similar. I don’t notice much of a difference.”

He was requested about his degree of Japanese, which is about zero.

“I don’t know very much at all. I’m looking forward to learning,” he stated. “The first things I need to learn are the baseball terms.”

Other groups in Japan have made comparable contentious signings earlier than.

Former major-league reliever Roberto Osuna — who obtained a 75-game suspension for violating MLB’s home violence coverage — signed final season with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He has signed for this season with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.

In 1987, Dodgers reduction pitcher Steve Howe, who had a profession plagued with drug issues, tried to signal with the Seibu Lions. But he didn’t play within the nation after the Japanese baseball commissioner disqualified Howe due to his historical past of drug abuse.

Bauer was an All-Star in 2018 and went 83-69 with a 3.79 ERA in 10 seasons for Arizona (2012), Cleveland, (2013-19), Cincinnati (2019-20) and the Dodgers. He received the NL Cy Young Award with Cincinnati through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.