Former Dodgers Cy Young Award winner Bauer returns to the United States, joining the independent league's Long Island Ducks.

Trevor Bauer, the 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner, has officially returned to the United States, joining the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, an independent league. The Long Island Ducks are a prestigious team within the independent league. Bauer stated: "I am very excited to play in front of American fans again this year. The Long Island Ducks have nurtured many outstanding players, and I am honored to be part of this tradition."

In addition to playing for the Long Island Ducks, Bauer will wear a microphone during all training sessions and games to capture video content for the team and his personal media platform.

After winning the Cy Young Award in 2020, the 35-year-old Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, during his first season with the Dodgers, he was suspended from playing in early July 2021 when MLB launched an investigation into allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault against him. Later, through efforts by the players' union, this was changed to administrative leave. In April 2022, MLB imposed a severe penalty of a 324-game suspension on him, which was reduced to 194 games after an appeal.

Although Bauer never faced criminal charges related to the incidents, and civil lawsuits were settled with the plaintiffs, before his suspension period ended, the Dodgers designated him for assignment and terminated his contract early in January 2023. In reality, Bauer only played 17 games for the Dodgers (during the 2021 season).

After leaving MLB, Bauer spent the past three years playing twice for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, and in 2024, he moved to the Mexican League's Mexican Red Devils. He was selected for the NPB All-Star Game in 2023 and won the Mexican League's Pitcher of the Year award in 2024. However, after returning to Yokohama last year, he only recorded a performance of 4 wins, 10 losses, and an ERA of 4.51.

Over his 10-season MLB career, Bauer appeared in 222 games, pitched 1297.2 innings, with a record of 83 wins and 69 losses, an ERA of 3.79, 1416 strikeouts, and a WAR of 21.5. Besides the Cy Young Award, he was also selected for the All-Star Game in 2018.

During his two seasons in Japan, he played in 40 games, pitched 264.1 innings, with a record of 14 wins and 14 losses, an ERA of 3.64, and 249 strikeouts. In the Mexican League, he played in 14 games, pitched 83.1 innings, with a record of 10 wins and 0 losses, an ERA of 2.48, and 120 strikeouts, maintaining an unbeaten record.