AL team scout in attendance for prior start said Bauer ‘showed flashes of the guy he used to be,’ believing he could help an MLB team
Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star, threw a no-hitter for the independent Long Island Ducks in a 13-0 victory over the Lancaster Stormers on Sunday afternoon at Penn Medicine Park in Pennsylvania. It was only his second start in the United States since 2021. In the scheduled seven-inning game of a doubleheader, Bauer faced just one batter over the minimum, throwing 84 pitches while striking out seven and walking one, narrowly missing a perfect game. He let out a roar on the mound after the final called strike three, securing the third no-hitter in Ducks franchise history.
Through two starts with the Ducks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (an MLB Partner League), Bauer has posted a strong 1.64 ERA. Fans in the stands, though mostly supporting the opposing Stormers, recognized the significance of the moment and were heard chanting his name as he dominated hitters. After the game, Bauer showed appreciation by signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
Bauer, who previously pitched in Japan (2023 and 2025) and Mexico (2024), expressed excitement about competing in front of U.S. fans again when he signed with the Long Island Ducks earlier this month. His performance drew positive feedback from an AL team scout, who noted flashes of his former arsenal—including a still-solid fastball sitting mostly 92-94 mph—and believed he showed potential to help a club, though he is not yet back to his peak form.
This June will mark five years since Bauer last appeared in an MLB game as the reigning Cy Young winner, when he was pitching effectively for the Dodgers with a 2.59 ERA before sexual assault allegations surfaced. Those led to a lengthy suspension (originally 324 games, reduced to 184) under the league’s domestic violence policy. Bauer has consistently maintained his innocence, settled one case, and highlighted evidence that one accuser, Lindsey Hill, was later charged with fraud related to the matter. He has publicly stated his desire to return to MLB, even at the league minimum, and has criticized the league’s handling of his situation in comparison to other cases.
Despite the challenges, Bauer has expressed a desire to play the second half of his career differently, focusing on growth and serving as an example of personal improvement. He continues to perform well in independent and international leagues while seeking another opportunity in Major League Baseball.
