Following the arrest of Julio Urías on Sunday night by the Los Angeles Police Department due to suspected felony domestic violence, his future with the Los Angeles Dodgers is in serious doubt.
The incident was reported to have occurred following a soccer match between the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Inter Miami at BMO Stadium. Urías attended the event, which drew a wide range of celebrities and professional athletes because of Lionel Messi coming to Los Angeles.
Urías was released on $50,000 bond Monday morning, but the domino effect stemming from the arrest is significant. Not only is he unlikely to ever pitch for the Dodgers again, but Urías’ future in the sport may be in jeopardy as well.
As the team began their road trip under jarring circumstances, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his surprise and disappointment, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I was shocked. Everyone was,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It is just an extremely unfortunate circumstance for everyone.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was at the helm when Urías was previously arrested in 2019, which required him to go through a 52-week domestic violence counseling program and other initiatives to avoid charges.
The impact of his absence on the field is rightfully outweighed by Urías’ actions off of it, and Friedman acknowledged how unfortunate the situation is for the entire organization:
“Obviously, extremely disappointing development,” Friedman said. “For us right now, it’s having him and his representatives resolve this while we’re focused on both the near and long term including we’ve got a game on Thursday that he was the slated starter that we’re figuring out contingencies and ways to move forward.”
No player has been suspended twice for violating MLB’s joint domestic violence policy, and as it stands, Urías could face a lengthy suspension.
Any sort of punishment will end his career with the Dodgers, and given the team’s efforts in year’s past to allow MLB to conduct investigations without hiccups, Urías’ isn’t likely to pitch again for the team.
Urías is slated to be a free agent following the conclusion of the 2023 season.
MLB places Julio Urías on administrative leave
MLB put Urías on administrative leave Wednesday, effective immediately. He will continue to be paid but is no longer on the Dodgers’ active or 40-man rosters.
MLB can unilaterally place players on administrative leave while conducting an investigation, but with Urías, they came to an agreement with the union. It also appears the 27-year-old will remain on the restricted list indefinitely.
“Per an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA, Julio Urías has been placed on Administrative Leave until further notice as MLB continues its ongoing investigation,” the league said in a statement.
“The administrative leave, which is effective immediately, is not disciplinary under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. We will refrain from further comment until the appropriate time.”
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