Trevor Bauer’s debut in the Dominican Winter League was delayed on Tuesday when heavy rains forced the postponement of all three games scheduled for the Estrellas Orientales. The former Cy Young Award winner, who will pitch for the team based in San Pedro de Macorís, said the weather would not dampen his enthusiasm for playing in the country. “I’m excited about it. I’ve watched a couple of games and the fans are crazy, the baseball is good,” Bauer told reporters. “I want to see the stands full and experience the atmosphere that defines Dominican baseball. Obviously I want to win for the team and perform well, but I also want to enjoy playing because baseball is a lot of fun here, and that’s why I came to play.” Bauer, 35, noted that the speed of the local pitchers presents a challenge. “Everyone throws at 100 miles per hour and I throw slower, so I’m concerned about that, but it’s going to be fun,” he said. The pitcher, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 with the Cincinnati Reds and later signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has not played in Major League Baseball since a 2021 incident in which he was accused of sexual assault. Bauer denied the allegations, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office found insufficient evidence to charge him in February 2022. MLB, however, suspended him for 324 games (later reduced to 194 by an independent judge). He has since played in Japan, Mexico, and independent leagues in the United States. The rain‑induced postponement means the Estrellas Orientales will resume play once conditions improve, with Bauer expected to make his debut when the league’s schedule allows.
Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto