Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer poses for photographers in his new DeNA BayStars uniform during an introductory press conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on March 24, 2023. Bauer, who was suspended by Major League Baseball in 2022 following allegations of sexual assault, has signed a one-year deal with DeNA. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images)
By Conor Liguori
World Baseball Network
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball have sent former CY Young Award winner Trevor Bauer down to their minor league team.
Bauer has been struggling on the mound as of late for Yokohama, and currently holds a 8.40 ERA in three starts for the club. Although Bauer has been sent down, he has not been removed from the active roster.
Bauer will start Sunday’s game in the Eastern League against the Chiba Lotte Marines minor league affiliate, Yokohama manager Daisuke Miura told reporters. He is expected to make his next scheduled start with the big league club if his performance is up to par.
Bauer signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in March. He fared well in his first start with the team, allowing just one run and seven hits across seven innings. Yokohama would go on to defeat the Hiroshima Carp 4-1.
The right-handed pitcher’s last two appearances have not been impressive. On May 9 against the Yomiuri Giants, Bauer allowed seven runs on 11 hits in six innings of work. He gave up three home runs in the 9-2 loss. After the game, he was honest with reporters on his performance.
“In America I had my own strategy on where to attack, but when it comes to Japanese players, I need to learn and study more,” Bauer said.
He fared even worse in his next start on Tuesday, May 16 against the Hiroshima Carp. Lasting just two innings, Bauer allowed seven runs on eight hits, and struck out just one. Yokohama would go on to lose the game 7-5.
Bauer spent the previous 10 years in Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He holds a win-loss record of 83-69 in 222 career appearances.
In 2021, he was suspended 324 games by the MLB after violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, but never faced criminal charges. The Los Angeles Dodgers released Bauer from the team this past January. Other MLB organizations showed little to no interest in his services during free agency, and he was left unsigned.
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars will play their next game on Sunday, May 20 at 1 a.m. ET against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Yokohama is currently in second place in the Central League with a win-loss record of 22-15.