Controversial Ex-MLB Pitcher Trevor Bauer Signs With Indy Ball Team

The former big league starter will be pitching in indy ball in New York after a few years abroad.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the teams Bauer has played for in his career.The complex, fragmented visual style reflects the twists and turns of Trevor Bauer's controversial professional baseball journey.Los Angeles Today

Controversial former Major League Baseball pitcher Trevor Bauer has signed with the Long Island Ducks, an independent baseball team in the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Bauer, a one-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner, has not pitched in a big league game since 2021 due to a 194-game suspension from MLB for violating the league's domestic violence policy. Since then, he has pitched in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and Mexico's Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. The Ducks announced that Bauer will be their opening day starter on April 21 and will be 'Mic'd Up' for all games and practices.

Why it matters

Bauer's signing with the independent Long Island Ducks is noteworthy because he was once an elite MLB pitcher but has been out of the big leagues for several years due to his suspension and off-field controversies. His move to indy ball represents a significant fall from his previous success and raises questions about whether he will ever return to the majors.

The details

Bauer received a 324-game suspension from Major League Baseball in 2021, the biggest punishment in league history based on the league's domestic violence policy. The suspension was later reduced to 194 games on appeal. Since his last MLB game in 2021, Bauer has pitched in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and Mexico's Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. In 2025, he made 22 starts for the Yokohama Bay Stars in Japan, posting a 4.41 ERA.

  • Bauer last pitched in a big league game in 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • In 2021, Bauer received a 324-game suspension from Major League Baseball, the biggest punishment in league history based on the league's domestic violence policy.
  • Bauer's suspension was later reduced to 194 games on appeal.
  • On April 2, 2026, the Long Island Ducks announced that Bauer will be joining their team and will pitch on their Opening Day on April 21.

The players

Trevor Bauer

A former MLB All-Star and Cy Young Award winner who has not pitched in the big leagues since 2021 due to a suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy. He has since pitched in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and Mexico's Liga Mexicana de Béisbol.

Long Island Ducks

An independent baseball team in the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, where Bauer will be pitching starting on their Opening Day on April 21, 2026.

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The takeaway

Bauer's signing with the independent Long Island Ducks represents a significant fall from his previous success as an elite MLB pitcher. His off-field controversies and lengthy suspension have derailed his career, and his move to indy ball raises questions about whether he will ever return to the big leagues.