Trevor Bauer Joins Independent Team, Will Pitch Against Dodgers This Weekend
Free agent right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer will face his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Sunday, March 10.
The Asian Breeze, an independent team, announced on Thursday that Bauer will participate in their upcoming game against the Dodgers this weekend.
What Is the Asian Breeze?
The Asian Breeze is a travel team whose sole purpose is to get undiscovered players in front of scouts as they take on minor leaguers in MLB organizations.
Players typically pay a fee to participate, but among those who are hoping to make the team in 2024 are former US and Japanese professionals.
In three days, they are set to take on the Dodgers at the Camelback Ranch backfields, and there will be at least one “discovered” player on display, as Bauer is joining to face his former team.
Bauer last pitched in MLB in 2021 with the Dodgers.
After signing a three-year, $102 million with L.A, Bauer made just 17 starts in 2021 before being placed on administrative leave by MLB ahead of the 2022 season.
Bauer was then suspended by MLB for 324 games after violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy. That suspension was reduced to 194 games, and when it was over, Bauer was released by the Dodgers.
In 2023, Bauer pitched with the Yokohama Bay Stars in Japan. He’s been adamant on social media about wanting to make an MLB comeback, but at this point, he’s yet to sign with a team.
It appears he’s hoping to make an impression in front of scouts against the Dodgers’ minor leaguers.
According to the LA Times, the Dodgers aren’t expected to cancel the game, as they don’t want to bring more attention to a potentially awkward situation.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
