The Los Angeles Dodgers granted right-hander Trevor Bauer his unconditional release on Thursday.
The team designated him for assignment last Friday and he cleared waivers, meaning he is now free to sign with any team.
The Dodgers owe the remaining $22.5 million on his contract, opting to part ways with Bauer following his record suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
Any team that signs Bauer, who turns 32 next week, will only be on the hook for the prorated portion of the MLB minimum 2023 salary of $720,000.
Following an investigation, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Bauer for two full seasons last April over allegations made by a woman who claimed Bauer sexually assaulted her over two encounters.
On Dec. 22 a neutral arbitrator reinstated Bauer, reducing his punishment from 324 games to 194 — covering 144 games he was suspended for in 2022 and another 50 games of docked pay this coming season. Bauer is eligible to pitch immediately in 2023.
Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers after winning the 2020 National League Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds.
Bauer hasn’t pitched since June 28, 2021. He finished 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts for the Dodgers that season.
An All-Star in 2018, Bauer owns an 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA in 222 career appearances (212 starts) with the Arizona Diamondbacks, then-Cleveland Indians, Reds and Dodgers.
–Field Level Media