• Bauer criticized in Japan for apparent support of Ridge Alkonis
• Ex-MLB star signed with Yokohama after release from Dodgers

Former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer came under criticism in Japan on Wednesday after he appeared to express support on social media for a US Navy officer who had been jailed over a car crash that killed two Japanese citizens.

Bauer, a free agent who played the 2023 season with the Yokohama DeNa BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball following his suspension and release from the LA Dodgers amid allegations of sexual abuse, posted an Instagram comment to the page of Lt Ridge Alkonis, who was released from Japanese custody last month while serving a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the negligent driving deaths of a woman and her son-in-law in May 2021.