Bauer gave up five runs -- all in the fifth inning -- on six hits and no walks while striking out five across 4.1 frames in Monday's Cactus League contest versus Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Bauer looked every bit like the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner for four innings, giving up just one hit and striking out five batters. However, the Mariners teed off on the right-hander for three homers in the fifth and tagged him for five runs as he retired only one batter. Despite the rough outing, Bauer has enjoyed a solid spring, posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings.

Bauer noted that he struggled with his delivery during his spring training appearance Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bauer struggled with his control in the first inning, as he issued three walks and hit an additional batter with a pitch. After the game, he noted issues with his delivery in the early portion of the outing and also said he was struggling to focus with his right eye. There shouldn't be much reason for concern however, as he settled in to throw 65 pitches and completed 2.2 innings while striking out four.

Bauer tossed two scoreless innings against Colorado in his exhibition debut Monday, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Bauer gave up a first-inning leadoff single to Garrett Hampson but proceeded to retire the next six batters, including two by strikeout. He threw 28 pitches -- 21 of which were strikes -- in his two innings of work. Bauer will occupy a spot near the front of the Dodgers' rotation this season, though manager Dave Roberts suggested that it's too early to nail down the preferred pitching order, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Bauer agreed to a deal with the Dodgers on Friday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The most sought-after pitcher on the market lands with the defending champions, strengthening an already excellent roster and rotation. Bauer will make $102 million over three years but can opt out after each of the first two seasons. It's not clear exactly which Bauer will show up this year, as his 1.73 ERA in his Cy Young campaign last season came immediately after a disappointing 4.48 mark the year prior, but his 36.0 percent strikeout rate and 6.1 percent walk rate backed up his short-season dominance, giving the Dodgers plenty of reason to believe they've just signed a true ace. It's one of the better landing spots for Bauer, as he'll get to pitch in a pitcher-friendly park and could hardly have an easier time picking up wins.

Bauer was announced as the 2020 winner of the National League Cy Young award Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old received 27 of 30 first-place votes, with Yu Darvish taking the other three votes. Bauer posted a 1.73 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 100:17 K:BB over 73 innings with a 5-4 record in 11 starts during the shortened 2020 campaign. The right-hander is officially a free agent after declining Cincinnati's one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer for 2021 last week.

Bauer rejected his $18.9 million qualifying offer from the Reds on Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bauer was expected to turn down the qualifying offer, although he hasn't ruled out a return to Cincinnati after putting together a career-best season in which he recorded a 1.73 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 100:17 K:BB over 73 innings. He's a favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award and should draw significant interest entering his age-30 season.

Bauer was extended the $18.9 million qualifying offer by the Reds on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old put up the best numbers of his career during the shortened 2020 campaign and is poised to win the NL Cy Young when awards are announced later in November. Bauer had a 1.73 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 100:17 K:BB over 73 innings and, assuming he declines the qualifying offer, will enter free agency as the top pitcher on the market, a move which guarantees the Reds a draft pick as compensation upon his signing elsewhere.

Bauer allowed two hits over 7.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Wednesday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He struck out 12 and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Bauer became the first pitcher ever to throw at least 7.2 innings with no runs, two hits or fewer, no walks and 12 strikeouts in a postseason game. Unfortunately for Reds fans, it was all for naught as the Cincinnati offense could not support him -- a theme throughout the 2020 season -- and Atlanta ultimately walked it off on a Freddie Freeman single in the 13th. Bauer was brilliant on the mound this season and may very well be headed into free agency as a newly-minted Cy Young winner.

Bauer will start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds' opponent for the best-of-three series to open the postseason still isn't known, but Bauer will take the mound for the first game, followed by Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray in the next two contests. Bauer had a dominant start in his final outing of the regular season to strengthen his bid for the Cy Young and will attempt to carry his momentum into the playoffs.

Bauer (5-4) allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 12 over eight innings in a win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

He was starting on short rest, but you couldn't tell it, as Bauer was absolutely dominant on the mound. The right-hander threw 104 pitches and turned in his fifth double-digit strikeout performance this season. Bauer is undoubtedly a top candidate for the Cy Young and is arguably the frontrunner; he leads NL qualifiers in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. He could theoretically pitch in some capacity on short rest again Sunday or start the first postseason game for Cincinnati if the team makes it.