Trevor Bauer Asks MLB For Similar Treatment After Shohei Ohtani Betting Announcement: 'What About My Case?'

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer keeps pressuring MLB to give him a fair shot at returning to the majors.

Bauer resurfaced on social media Tuesday, replying to the announcement that Shohei Ohtani had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the league over the Ippei Mizuara betting scandal. Mizuhara, Ohtani's longtime interpreter, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges Tuesday and faces up to 33 years in prison.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after giving up a hit to Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 20: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 20, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Bauer, who last played in the majors in 2021, has been on the outside looking in after several sexual assault allegations derailed his superb baseball career.

MLB closed its investigation on Ohtani, and the league welcomes Shohei back with open arms (yes, even more) to the bankable Dodgers superstar now that he's officially been cleared of wrongdoing.

Naturally, Bauer's asking for the same treatment by MLB. Bauer replied to the Ohtani update Tuesday, via X:

"What about my case, where I also was never charged with anything, and where I’m also the victim of fraud? Why am I not allowed to go back to playing?"

The 33-year-old wants to be welcomed back, considering he's been cleared of any charges stemming from the sexual assault allegations, and one of Bauer's accusers was indicted for allegedly defrauding the pitcher. Another accuser — Lindsey Hill, who sent derogatory texts after sleeping with Bauer — ultimately settled with Bauer.

The pitcher has bounced from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league to the Mexican League since he last appeared on the Dodgers roster in 2021. Bauer joined the L.A. club on February 5, 2021, agreeing to a three-year, $102 million contract.. He was suspended by MLB five months later over the sexual assault allegations. 

Teams have reportedly hosted Bauer for workouts, believing the former Cy Young winner still has gas in the tank, but Bauer maintains that MLB is ‘blackballing’ him. 

Despite dodging charges, Bauer was DFA'd by the Dodgers on January 6, 2023.

Without criminal charges to face, many are asking what keeps Bauer from returning to MLB. He continues to pitch exceptionally overseas, making a strong case that he deserves another opportunity. Bauer has also been critical of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in the past. He received a 324-game suspension in 2021, described as violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, which was later reduced to 194 games.

But what Bauer wants to keep asking is … why the difference in treatment between him and Ohtani? And will he make it back to the show, if given a fair shot?

Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Send a message: alejandro.avila@outkick.com