Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer joins Ducks, eyes MLB return

The Long Island Ducks now have a former Cy Young Award winner atop their rotation.

Trevor Bauer, 35, signed with the club on Thursday, marking a return to pitching in the United States after spending the last few years in Mexico and Japan.

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

Bauer last appeared in Major League Baseball in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was later suspended by MLB for 194 games following allegations of sexual abuse and battery by multiple women.

Bauer denied the allegations, and no criminal charges were filed. In 2024, one of the accusers was indicted by a grand jury on felony charges of fraudulent schemes and theft by extortion.

Now, the right-hander is aiming for another opportunity at the major league level.

Bauer won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 with the Cincinnati Reds. He owns 83 career wins and was named to one All-Star Game, with previous stops including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland.

“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Ducks President and CEO Mike Pfaff said in a statement. “His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ball club, and we are happy to showcase his abilities to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball.”

That access will include Bauer being mic’d up for games and practices — something the team tells Greater Long Island it has never done before.

He is expected to start the Ducks’ home opener on April 21 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark against the Hagerstown Flying Box Cars. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

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Top: Trevor Bauer, then of the Diablos Rojos, throws against New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe during the first inning of a baseball exhibition game at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium in Mexico City, in March of 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)