[NPB NOTEBOOK] BayStars' Trevor Bauer Sidelined with a Hip Injury

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Trevor Bauer has hit a major roadblock in his first season in Japan.

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars removed Bauer from the active roster on Friday, September 1 after he was diagnosed with damage to the distal portion of his right iliopsoas muscle.

The injury occurred after Bauer fielded a ball in the third inning on Wednesday, August 30 in a game against the Hanshin Tigers. The 32-year-old right-hander left the game in the fourth inning after stating he had some discomfort near the hip joint of his right leg at Koshien Stadium.

*Trevor Bauer injures his right hip in the third inning on August 30. (ⒸSANKEI)*

"It seems like something that will take time," Yokohama manager Daisuke Miura told reporters on Thursday. "He went to the hospital yesterday. Whether or not he can return this season remains to be seen."

It's a big setback for both the BayStars (60-55-3 and in third place in the Central League) and Bauer. A return in the regular season seems highly unlikely. But the team is hoping the former MLB starter may be available for the postseason, assuming they make it.

A Solid Season for Trevor Bauer

Much to his credit, Bauer had settled down nicely after a bumpy start to his career in Japan and had won over the admiration of teammates and fans.

He made the Central League All-Star team after he was voted in as part of the league's "plus-one" fan vote.

The 2020 National League Cy Young award winner is 10-4 with 130 strikeouts and a 2.76 ERA in 19 games for DeNA this season.

Bauer arrived in Japan with plenty of baggage but also high expectations.

In May against the Hiroshima Carp, Bauer surrendered seven runs to lose his second straight decision and drop to 1-2.

After the 7-5 loss to the Carp, Bauer had given up 15 runs, 14 earned, over 15 innings in his first three starts for the BayStars.

That prompted Miura to tell reporters: "They are really hitting him well, it's not just about how hard you throw."

Shortly after those losses, the BayStars sent Bauer down to their Eastern League farm team. The move paid off and he came back with more determination to make the difficult transition to Japanese baseball.

On June 14, Bauer struck out 12 batters and pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits, as the BayStars beat the Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters 2-1 in an interleague game at Yokohama Stadium. It was one of his best performances this season.

He improved to 4-2 with that win and just seemed to get stronger and more confident as the season went on.

Off-Field Troubles for Bauer

In July of 2021, MLB placed Bauer on administrative leave while an investigation was opened into sexual assault allegations that had been made against him.

He received a record 324-game suspension from Major League Baseball in April of 2022.

In December of 2022, Bauer's suspension was reduced to 194 games, reinstating him immediately.

Other MLB teams could have signed Bauer, who has a career 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA, but none did and the BayStars offered him a deal that was announced in March.

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