The Los Angeles Dodgers went the final month of the 2023 regular season and National League Division Series without Julio Urías available due to his arrest in September on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
Urías was placed on paid administrative leave amid ongoing investigations by law enforcement officials and Major League Baseball. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he anticipated a rather lengthy process for the left-hander, who then became a free agent after the 2023 season.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office recently received all material from a completed investigation by law enforcement, but did not have a timeline for their decision on potential charges.
According to ESPN’s Alden González, Urías is not going to face felony charges from the DA but potentially is still subject to a misdemeanor from the L.A. City Attorney’s office:
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office determined Tuesday that it will not file felony charges against former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias, writing in its charge-evaluation worksheet that “neither the victim’s injuries nor the defendant’s criminal history justify a felony filing.”
The case now will move to the City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing considerations.
The incident Urías was involved in occurred at BMO Stadium after a soccer match between Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Inter Miami that already drew widespread attention because of Lionel Messi’s presence.
It marked a second time Urías was arrested for domestic violence, as he previously put himself in the regrettable position in 2019.
In that instance L.A. prosecutors decided to not press charges against Urías under the conditions he participated in a City Attorney hearing, didn’t commit acts of violence against anyone, and successfully completed a 52-week domestic violence counseling program in person, and in a group setting.
Upon his second arrest, the Dodgers quickly distanced themselves from Urías, first by giving his locker in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse to Kolten Wong when he joined the team.
That was followed by the Dodgers replacing the Urías World Baseball Classic bobblehead giveaway on their promotional calendar, and having jerseys, t-shirts and other merchandise bearing his name and No. 7 taken out of retail stores and stands throughout Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers also covered all Dodger Stadium murals featuring Urías, including the 2020 World Series painting in right field of the loge level that features Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner. The mural was updated by artist Jonas Never with Austin Barnes and Will Smith taking the place of Urías.
Will MLB suspend Julio Urías?
Whether or not Urías faces criminal charges, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has the authority to impose a suspension under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy that was implemented in August 2015.
Urías is the first player who faces possible disciplinary action for a second time under the guideline. He served a 20-game suspension in 2019 before eventually returning to the Dodgers later that season.
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