Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been away from Major League Baseball since September 6 of last year after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Urías was originally placed on administrative leave while the investigation was underway, however, he never returned to the Dodgers’ active roster for the remainder of the 2023 season.
MLB hasn’t yet to issue a suspension for Urías, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced he wouldn’t be facing felony charges. But following his May 2 arraignment hearing, he’s facing lesser charges, per Nathan Solis of the L.A. Times:
Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was placed on probation for three years and ordered to enter a domestic violence treatment program after pleading no contest to a charge of misdemeanor domestic battery against his wife.
The incident of note occurred outside BMO Stadium following an LAFC soccer game when a bystander alerted police that they saw Urías and his wife, Daisy, in a physical altercation. During his hearing, the former MLB pitcher was met with five charges:
He was charged with five misdemeanors: one count of spousal battery, two counts of domestic battery involving a dating relationship, one count of false imprisonment and one count of assault.
On Wednesday, Urías pleaded no contest to one count of domestic battery and the other four charges were dismissed, according to court records.
Urías was previously arrested in May 2019 for alleged domestic violence, but charges were never filed. He received a 20-game suspension from MLB, and due to his standing as a repeat offender, is likely to face a more significant punishment.
His latest charges avoided jail time for Urías, instead a commitment to enroll and complete a domestic violence program:
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Urías to enroll in and pay for a yearlong domestic violence treatment program and attend all his counseling sessions. Instead of jail time, Urías was placed on three years of probation and forbidden during that time to possess, use or own any dangerous weapons. He was also ordered to not use or threaten violence against anyone during that time.
The Dodgers have continued to distance themselves from Urías in his absence, removing his jersey from team stores, and other merchandise with his name.
His place on the 2020 World Series mural, displayed in the right field loge level, initially featured Urías, but was replaced by Austin Barnes and Will Smith.
Will Julio Urías pitch in MLB again?
Urías hasn’t received any interest around MLB during this time, and because he stands to be the league’s first second offender of their domestic violence policy, he isn’t likely to stick.
Teams have shown a willingness to bring players in following a first offense, but repeat offenders usually don’t find their way back into the league.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
