Trevor Bower (Yokohama DeNA Baystars), a former Cy Young Award winner in the Major League (MLB), has been on the mound in the second team game after a long struggle.
Japanese media outlets including Sankei Sports reported on the 20th that Bower would pitch in the 2nd team game against Chiba Lotte Marines on the 21st.
Bower’s appearance in the second group game is a measure due to his recent sluggishness.
Bower, who was active as a top-notch pitcher in the big leagues, such as winning the Cy Young Award given to MLB’s best pitcher in 2020, was investigated for assaulting a woman with whom he had sex in 2021, and was suspended from the MLB Secretariat.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, his team at the time, released Bower.
No MLB team wanted Bower after he was accused of sexual assault. Eventually, Bower turned his eyes to the Japanese stage and signed a one-year, 400 million yen contract with Yokohama.
On the 3rd of this month, his debut match in Japan, Bower won the match by pitching 7 innings and 1 run against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
However, against the Yomiuri Giants on the 9th, he only allowed 7 runs and 6 earned runs in 6 innings.
In the end, Yokohama coach Daisuke Miura decided to start Bower in the second team. Bower plans to check his condition after taking four days off, just like he used to play in the MLB.안전놀이터
Manager Miura said, “Bauer will digest 6 innings,” and he said, “I plan to throw 90 to 100 balls.”
A schedule for Bower’s next first-team appearance has not yet been set.