Major League Baseball has exonerated Shohei Ohtani in the gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, but Trevor Bauer, who faces similar allegations, has expressed frustration over his continued suspension.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has cleared Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing in the gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to numerous charges Tuesday and faces 33 years in prison after allegedly stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.
MLB ruled that Ohtani was a victim of fraud and will not be punished. The decision comes as a relief to Ohtani, who has been the subject of intense scrutiny since the allegations emerged.
The MLB's decision to clear Ohtani has caught the attention of Trevor Bauer, who has been suspended from the majors since 2021 amid several sexual assault allegations. Bauer has maintained his innocence, settling with one accuser while another has since been charged with fraud.
In a social media post, Bauer expressed frustration over his continued suspension. He pointed out that, like Ohtani, he has not been charged with anything and has also been the victim of fraud. Bauer questioned why he was not allowed to return to playing, given the similarities in their situations.
Bauer was suspended 324 games for violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. His suspension was reduced to 194 games, representing the time he missed in 2021 while on administrative leave and the entirety of the 2022 season, but he was still released by the Dodgers before the 2023 season began.
Bauer was accused of beating and sexually abusing a woman named Lindsey Hill in 2021. He settled with Hill late last year, revealing texts from her that seemed to contradict her allegations. Hill has since said that MLB has more evidence of Bauer's alleged misconduct.
Bauer was also accused of fraud by Darcy Adanna Esemonu, who was charged with felony fraud theft by extortion in Arizona in March. Esemonu allegedly told Bauer she had been impregnated by him and asked for money for an abortion, but she was never pregnant and is facing 16 years in prison.
Despite his absence from the major leagues, Bauer has been pitching well in Mexico this season. He has a 1.53 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 13.4 K/9 in eight starts for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico.
Bauer's performance in Mexico has further fueled his frustration over his suspension from MLB. He believes that if he were allowed to pitch in the majors, he would be able to contribute to a team and succeed on the mound.
The MLB's decision to clear Ohtani but continue to suspend Bauer has raised questions about the league's consistency and fairness in handling allegations of wrongdoing. Bauer's case remains a complex and controversial one, and it remains to be seen when or if he will be allowed to return to the majors.
