Bauer: MLB threatened discipline for wearing 'Free Joe Kelly' cleats

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer is ready to send a message through his footwear - if Major League Baseball doesn't stop him first.

Earlier Wednesday, the always-outspoken right-hander tweeted a video of custom cleats he designed to support suspended Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly. One cleat is emblazoned with the words "Free Joe Kelly," while the other depicts Kelly's now-infamous "pouty face" image that became a meme after his dustup with the Houston Astros last month.

Bauer planned to wear the cleats during his start Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals. However, he told ESPN's Jeff Passan that MLB informed him that he could face discipline and ejection if he wears them onto the field.

The league claims Bauer's cleats violate its footwear regulations. Players who run afoul of those rules without approval are subject to punishment, according to Passan. Bauer said he believes his footwear isn't illegal, as the rules state cleats "may contain writings, illustrations, and messages."

Bauer's agent, Rachel Luba, tried to explain the league's opposition to the cleats on Twitter:

A Reds official informed the league of Bauer's intention to wear the cleats on the field, at which point MLB said umpires could eject Bauer if he did, sources told Passan.

After shutting out the Royals Wednesday, Bauer took to Twitter and offered to send the unused Kelly cleats to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who was involved in the skirmish with the Dodgers.

Kelly, who is currently on the injured list, received an eight-game suspension - which was later reduced to five on appeal - after the league ruled he intentionally threw at Astros players when the Dodgers visited Houston in July. It was the first time the Dodgers and Astros - who opposed one another in the 2017 World Series - had met since Houston's sign-stealing scandal broke last year.

Bauer has been one of the more vocal critics of commissioner Rob Manfred, in part due to his displeasure with how the Astros' scandal was handled. Earlier this month, he made waves by wearing a "Bauer for commissioner" shirt to a postgame press conference.