CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer is not afraid to speak his mind, and that includes when there is something for which to apologize.
Critical of both ESPN and MLB Network over the weekend for a report about his recovery process from a stress fracture of the fibula in his right leg, Bauer posted a video on Twitter apologizing for his earlier social-media posts.
“Two days ago, a fake tweet surfaced regarding my recovery timetable and process, and it was brought to my attention by friends and followers on Twitter that the tweet was aired on MLB Network and ESPN and wrongly attributed to me,” Bauer said in the 35-second video.
“Over the last two days, ESPN has diligently searched their records and broadcasts for any sign of the fake tweet and has found nothing, so it appears the information I was given and what I believed to have seen was wrong and ESPN never aired the fake tweet.
“As spreading misinformation that damages people’s reputations is what I was originally angry about, I wanted to set the record straight and apologize to ESPN for wrongly accusing them of broadcasting this misinformation.”
When Bauer learned of the fake tweet and it’s possible appearance on both ESPN and MLB Network on Saturday, he tweeted his disapproval at the networks.
“Hey @MLBNetwork and @espn, I would like public statements on social media and on your networks clarifying that the information you wrongly reported as fact earlier regarding my recovery timetable and process is false and not a quote from me,” Bauer tweeted.
“The report is damaging and absurd.”
Bauer suffered fractured fibula when he was struck on the right ankle by a line drive in the seventh inning of a win over the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on the south side of Chicago on August 11, and subsequently, was placed on the disabled list three days later, retroactive to August 12.
Prior to the injury, which the Indians said carries a recovery timetable of four to six weeks, Bauer was on pace for a career year, and potentially, contending for the American League Cy Young Award.
This season, Bauer is 12-6 with a 2.22 earned run average over 25 starts. In 166.0 innings of work, Bauer allowed only 41 earned runs, 125 hits and 56 walks against 214 strikeouts, while holding opposing hitters to a .205 batting average.
During his six years with the Indians, Bauer has a 58-45 record in 153 appearances, including 144 starts. Over 878.1 innings of work, Bauer has a 3.92 earned run average with 902 strikeouts against 341 walks and 803 base hits allowed.
