In a move that instantly elevates the profile of the Atlantic League, the Long Island Ducks announced Thursday the signing of former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer for the 2026 season.
The 35-year-old right-hander, who will make his Ducks debut in his 15th year of professional baseball, is slated to start on Opening Night, April 21, at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Beyond his pitching duties, Bauer will be “mic’d up” for all games and practices, with the resulting footage earmarked for content on his personal channels and the team’s social media and streaming platforms.
Ducks President and Chief Baseball Officer Michael Pfaff expressed enthusiasm about the addition.
“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Pfaff said. “His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball.”
Bauer was selected third overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2011 MLB Draft out of UCLA. He reached the majors the following year and spent a decade in the big leagues with the Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Across 212 starts, he posted an 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 1,416 batters in 1,297⅔ innings.
His signature season came in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign with Cincinnati. Bauer delivered a masterful performance, posting a 1.73 ERA — the lowest in the National League — while allowing just 41 hits and fanning 100 batters over 73 innings. That dominance earned him the NL Cy Young Award, making him the first Reds pitcher to claim the honor since 1970.
After his MLB tenure concluded following the 2021 season, Bauer spent recent years pitching in Japan with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and in the Mexican League. Now he returns to American soil with the Ducks, a franchise long regarded as one of the premier independent teams for players seeking visibility and a potential path back to affiliated baseball.
“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” Bauer said. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”
For the Ducks, landing a pitcher of Bauer’s pedigree represents a significant coup. The Atlantic League has a proven track record of serving as a showcase for veteran talent, and Bauer’s presence — both on the mound and through the innovative “mic’d up” concept — should generate considerable buzz throughout the upcoming campaign.
Opening Night promises to be a marquee event in Central Islip, with fans getting their first look at a former ace in a Ducks uniform. As the calendar turns toward April 21, all eyes in the Atlantic League will be on Fairfield Properties Ballpark and the intriguing chapter Trevor Bauer is set to write on Long Island.
