MEXICO CITY.- Trevor Bauer says he would like to pitch again in the Big leaguesbut now he wants to focus on his brief time with the Red Devils of the Mexican League.
Bauer was presented on Friday by the Red Devils and will pitch next Sunday against the New York Yankees, in the first of two exhibition games in Mexico City.
Bauer, 33, received an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay from baseball commissioner Rob Mandred in 2022 for violating the domestic violence policy, after a woman from San Diego said he beat and sexually abused her. The pitcher has denied the accusation.
“I would certainly like to pitch in the big leagues again, but right now my focus is pitching here. I try to focus on what's in front of me. What's next? I have a game against the Yankees. “I want to do well to help my team,” Bauer said at a press conference. “Hopefully at some point in the future I can play in the Major Leagues again, but right now I'm a Devil.”
Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023. He pitched for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the last Japan Pacific League campaign.
Bauer was not charged with any crime. The woman who made the accusations resolved the legal dispute with the pitcher, according to the pitcher's lawyers.
Red Devils management said earlier this week that signing Bauer, even if only for five games, will help them market their brand beyond baseball.
The press room at the Alfredo Herp Helú stadium was packed with reporters and cameramen for Bauer's conference. Normally, at this point in the preseason, only a handful of reporters cover the team's daily activities.
Great impact in Mexico:
“In addition to being a great pitcher, Trevor is a creative mind, I subscribe to his YouTube channel,†said Santiago Harp, vice president of the Diablos board of directors. “I think that will help more people know about the Devils and they will talk a lot about this moment.â€
Bauer will become the fourth Cy Young winner in history to pitch in Mexico. Warren Spahn, Fernando Valenzuela and Bartolo Colón are the others.
Although Bauer is scheduled to play only five games in Mexico, the Red Devils said that could change in the future.
“History will be written, I can't get any further ahead of that,†said Jorge Del Valle, vice president of the scarlet team. “You have to think about what is around the corner, anything else will be discussed. We will go step by step, let Trevor enjoy Sunday.â€
