Former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer made his Japanese baseball debut on Sunday, pitching his first aggressive sport in almost two years.
Ignored by Major League Baseball groups following a prolonged suspension over home violence allegations, the 32-year-old right-hander signed a reported $4 million deal final month with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League.
On Sunday, Bauer allowed 4 hits and no runs and struck out six in 4 innings whereas pitching for Yokohama’s minor league affiliate in Yokosuka.
At a ballpark that sometimes attracts just a few hundred spectators, about 2,600 followers have been in attendance, in keeping with The Associated Press. Another 77,000 streamed the sport — 15 instances the traditional degree, in keeping with the workforce.
“I thought the day went really well,” Bauer mentioned, per the AP. “The stuff was good, the command was good, the health was good. I feel like I’m ready to compete now, but I have to build my pitch count.”
Bauer final pitched within the majors on June 28, 2021, earlier than allegations of sexual assault surfaced. He was positioned on paid depart amid an MLB investigation and finally obtained a document suspension for violating the league’s home violence coverage.
Following the investigation, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Bauer for 2 full seasons final April over allegations made by a lady who claimed Bauer sexually assaulted her over two encounters. Los Angeles County prosecutors declined to file costs within the case.
On Dec. 22 a impartial arbitrator reinstated Bauer, lowering his punishment from 324 video games to 194 — masking 144 video games he was suspended for in 2022 and one other 50 video games of docked pay this coming season. Bauer was eligible to pitch instantly in 2023.
Bauer was granted his unconditional launch by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 12 after clearing waivers. He had signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers after successful the 2020 National League Cy Young with the Cincinnati Reds.
Bauer mentioned he felt comfy Sunday regardless of the lengthy layoff, per AP.
“I’ve stayed ready,” Bauer mentioned. “I didn’t feel like I’d been away at all. The game came to me well. It didn’t speed up on me. I commanded the ball. There really wasn’t any adjustment. Just competitive baseball instead of throwing to hitters in a cage.”
Bauer additionally thanked the followers through his Twitter account:
“The fan support today was incredible! Thank you to everyone who showed up and to the 77,000 who watched on YouTube!”
–Field Level Media