Former MLB Pitcher Trevor Bauer Signs with Long Island Ducks

The former Cy Young Award winner is trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, geometric shapes in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the complexities and challenges Bauer faces in his comeback attempt.Bauer's signing with the Long Island Ducks represents his latest attempt to revive his MLB career after a lengthy suspension.Los Angeles Today

Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner, has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League and is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21 for the minor league team. Bauer has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

Why it matters

Bauer's signing with the Long Island Ducks represents his latest attempt to return to Major League Baseball after a lengthy suspension. The high-profile case surrounding the allegations against Bauer sparked a broader conversation about player conduct and the league's policies on domestic violence and sexual assault.

The details

Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023 after serving his suspension. Since then, he has played in Japan in 2023 and '25, sandwiched around one season with Diablos Rojos in the Mexican Baseball League in '24. The Ducks announced Bauer's signing on Thursday, and he is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21 for the minor league team.

  • Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023.
  • Bauer played in Japan in 2023 and '25, sandwiched around one season with Diablos Rojos in the Mexican Baseball League in '24.
  • The Ducks announced Bauer's signing on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • Bauer is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21, 2026 for the Long Island Ducks.

The players

Trevor Bauer

A former Cy Young Award winner who has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

Long Island Ducks

A minor league baseball team in the Atlantic League that has signed Trevor Bauer to pitch for them.

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What they’re saying

“I'm looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season. The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I'm excited to be part of that tradition.”

— Trevor Bauer

What’s next

Bauer is scheduled to make his debut for the Long Island Ducks on opening night, April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

Bauer's signing with the Long Island Ducks represents his latest attempt to revive his professional baseball career after a lengthy suspension. While he has faced significant off-field issues, the move to the minor leagues could provide him with an opportunity to prove himself and potentially earn another shot in the majors.