Trevor Bauer will pitch in the United States again this month.
The 35-year-old former Cy Young winner, who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2021 after a lengthy suspension stemming from sexual assault allegations he has consistently denied, has signed with the Long Island Ducks, the team announced Thursday.
Bauer will start on opening night for the independent team on April 21 at its home park in Central Islip.
“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” Bauer said in a release.
“The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”
Bauer spent the last three years pitching in Japan and Mexico.
“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Ducks president Michael Pfaff said in the release.
“His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball.”
While he was pitching for the Dodgers during the 2021 season, Bauer was placed on administrative leave after a woman accused Bauer punching and choking her during sex.
Bauer said that his encounters with the woman were “wholly consensual.”
Though he never faced charges, Bauer was suspended a record 324 games by MLB in April 2022 under its domestic violence policy.
After Bauer appealed, the suspension was reduced to 194 games in December 2022.