Baseball-MLB suspends Bauer following sexual assault investigation

LOS ANGELES : Major League Baseball on Friday announced it had suspended Los Angeles Dodgers' Trevor Bauer for two seasons without pay for violating the league's domestic violence and sexual assault policy, a ruling the pitcher vowed to appeal.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said MLB arrived at the decision following an "extensive investigation" into accusations of sexual assault made by a San Diego woman against the 31-year-old last June.

Bauer was placed on leave by the league at the end of June while the investigation took place.

Bauer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

"In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league's domestic violence & sexual assault policy," Bauer wrote in a social media post on Friday.

"I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives and I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings."

The Dodgers, who signed the Los Angeles native to a three-year, $102 million free-agent deal in February 2021, said they cooperated with the investigation and do not "condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault."

"We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner's decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete," the team said.

In February, media reported that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office would not press charges against Bauer.

The two-season suspension is the longest in league history for violating the policy and would extend past the expiration of his contract with the Dodgers.