Bauer was selected by the
Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round (165th overall) of the
1997 Major League Baseball draft. He was a
starting pitcher in the Orioles
minor league system from 1997 through , compiling a 41–39 record in 119 games (114 starts) with a 4.39
ERA in 666
innings pitched. Bauer made his major league debut in a start against the
Seattle Mariners on September 2, 2001, a 1–0
loss in which he surrendered just one
run on three
hits and two
walks in 6
innings. He pitched primarily in relief for Baltimore from 2001 through , appearing in 125 games (nine starts) and compiling an 8–13 record with a 4.58 ERA in 240 innings pitched. Bauer was released by the Orioles after the 2005 season and signed a minor league contract with the
Texas Rangers on November 9, 2005. He was
called up to the Rangers on April 7, , and remained with the team throughout the 2006 season. In 57 appearances (one start), Bauer pitched 71 innings and posted a 3–1 record with two
saves and a career-best 3.55 ERA. On January 16, , the Rangers avoided salary arbitration with Bauer when they signed him to a one-year, $730,000 contract. But after a poor
spring training, he was
designated for assignment on March 26. He was
waived by the club two days later. Bauer signed a minor league deal with the
Philadelphia Phillies on April 6, 2007, but was released by their
International League affiliate, the
Ottawa Lynx, on June 20. He signed another minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers on July 1, and spent the remainder of the season playing for their
Pacific Coast League affiliate, the
Las Vegas 51s. On July 4, , Bauer was designated for assignment by the Indians; he refused a minor league assignment and was released on July 10. On April 12, 2010, Bauer signed a contract with the
Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. He was later released, and on July 14, signed a contract with the
Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League. On February 21, 2012, Bauer signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers, but he was released during spring training. ==References==