Trevor Bauer has sued The Athletic and former reporter Molly Knight, accusing them of "creating and spreading the false narrative" that he had fractured a woman's skull during a sexual encounter.

The 26-page complaint alleges two counts of defamation.

A woman obtained a protection order against Bauer under California's Domestic Violence Prevention Act last June as the result of an alleged assault that left the woman with "severe physical and emotional pain," per the woman's attorney.

The Athletic reported last June 30 that "there were signs of a basilar skull fracture," citing a declaration by the woman.