Los Angeles Dodgers' Trevor Bauer has leave extended through April 16 by MLB, players' union

NEW YORK --Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will miss the start of the season after his administrative leave was extended through April 16 on Thursday by Major League Baseball and the players' association.

He was placed on seven days' paid leave last July 2 under the union and MLB's joint domestic violence and sexual assault policy after a Southern California woman said he choked her into unconsciousness, punched her repeatedly and had anal sex with her without her consent during two sexual encounters earlier last year.

MLB and the union have since agreed to several extensions.

"Mr. Bauer is cooperating with the MLB investigation and looks forward to resolving this matter. He continues to prepare for the 2022 MLB season,"Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba, Bauer's co-agents, said in a statement. "Administrative leave is not a disciplinary action nor does it in any way reflect a finding in the league's investigation."

Bauer did not pitch after June 29. He had a record of 8-2 and a 2.59 ERA in 17 appearances in his first season with the Dodgers. He signed a three-year, $102 million contract last offseason and was paid his $28 million salary for 2021 last year.

Los Angeles prosecutors last month declined to pursue assault and domestic violence charges against Bauer.

Prosecutors were unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a document concluding the investigation.

After the prosecutors' decision, Bauer vehemently denied in a seven-minute video posted on YouTube that he abused the woman. He said the two engaged in rough sex at her suggestion and followed guidelines they agreed to in advance. Each encounter ended with them joking and her spending the night.

ESPN does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault.

After winning his first Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Bauer agreed to a $102 million, three-year contract to join his hometown Dodgers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.