Trevor Bauer aims dig at Japanese star slugger for "fake bunt" stunt as he delivers nasty pitch

Trevor Bauer has been facing some of the toughest batters in Japan while pitching for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars in the Nippon Professional Baseball league this season. He recently documented an incident in which he got the better of one of the best contact hitters in the NPB.

Bauer posted an analysis video of his at-bat against Ryosuke Kikuchi. The former Cy Young winner called out the pitches as he delivered them. With a runner on base, Kikuchi attempted to bunt off the first two pitches. One ended up as a ball, while the other was a foul. On the third pitch, he appeared to be bunting but switched his grip at the last moment. However, a good pitch by Bauer earned a 1-2 count. He tried a similar fake bunt, but a curveball by Bauer struck him out.

Bauer, a two-time All-Star, noted his own efforts against Hiroshima Toyo Carp's .267 batter.

"This guy thought faking the bunt would work… it won't when you're landing your pitches," Bauer wrote in the comments as a promotion for 4APP.

Bauer's last two appearances in the NPB came against the Toyo Carp on Aug. 5 and Aug. 21, when he conceded 5 earned runs on 6.1 innings pitched. Bauer has a 4-10 record in 20 games with a high 4.34 ERA.

The NPB has been a step up in quality compared to the Mexican baseball league, where Bauer led the Diablos Rojos to the title and was adjudged the Mexican Player of the Year.

Trevor Bauer and Rachel Luba enjoy day out at sumo wrestling match

Trevor Bauer and his agent, Rachel Luba, had a fun time attending a traditional sumo wrestling match at the Ryogoku Sumo Wrestling Stadium in Tokyo. Pitcher Andre Jackson joined the two as they embraced the entertainment of Japan.

After the game, the group was also invited by some wrestlers to join them for a home-cooked meal.

While Bauer continues to navigate his life in Japan, his return to the MLB has yet to take place. The pitcher has claimed in the past that the league is blocking his return, despite some teams apparently being interested in signing him.