Report: Majority of Dodgers players don’t want Bauer back

Bauer is currently on MLB administrative leave while investigations continue

Mike DiGiovanna at the Los Angeles Times provided a broad overview and timeline of Trevor Bauer’s time with the Dodgers, from the first reported interest in the pitcher as a free agent to the right-hander currently under investigation by Pasadena police and Major League Baseball for sexual assault.

Things are still officially in limbo, with the Dodgers not commenting publicly while investigations are ongoing. Bauer is currently on administrative leave with MLB through Tuesday, a timeline that could get extended, especially with the hearing on the temporary restraining order against Bauer in Los Angeles Superior Court delayed until August 2.

Of particular note from DiGiovanna, especially amid the official silence from the team, is this:

Two people with knowledge of Dodgers clubhouse dynamics, who are unauthorized to speak publicly about the situation, said that a majority of players do not want Bauer back under any circumstances.

The Dodgers’ official silence regarding Bauer, other than canceling a bobblehead and removing jerseys and shirts from team stores, is in contrast to how the Nationals have spoken out about Starlin Castro, who was placed on administrative leave under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy on July 16.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on Tuesday said he didn’t plan on having Castro back this season, telling reporters, per the Associated Press, “I was surprised. I was angered by it. … It’s something that cannot happen and should not happen. It will not happen with the Washington Nationals otherwise we will fix it, and [those were] my thoughts at the time.’’

The timing of DiGiovanna’s story on Bauer coincides with the Dodgers celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 1981 World Series winners all weekend at Dodger Stadium. Dave Stewart, a rookie relief pitcher on that team, declined to attend the festivities based on how the team handled the Bauer situation.

“I know they owe him a lot of money, but the right thing is to distance yourself from that guy,” Stewart told Bob Nightengale at USA Today on July 5. “I don’t want him in my clubhouse. If you’re a teammate, you can’t support him. And if you’re a teammate supporting him, what are you standing for?”

Links

Jim Alexander at the Orange County Register likens the 2021 Dodgers’ quest to repeat to the 1982 team, finding the 1981 championship Dodgers hard to follow.

In addition to the reported signings of Dodgers third- and fourth-round picks on Sunday, seventh-rounder Ryan Sublette, a pitcher from Texas Tech, has reportedly signed as well. None of these signings have yet been announced by the Dodgers, but are included in our draft tracker.

Here is the 11-minute video — narrated by Vin Scully — chronicling the 1981 Dodgers, who were honored on the field at Dodger Stadium before Sunday’s game against the Rockies.