The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Julio Urias back on their 25-man active roster as he returned from a seven-day administrative leave. Kyle Garlick was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move.
Urias was placed on paid leave by MLB as the league investigated his involvement in an alleged domestic battery incident at the Beverly Center last week. Urias was arrested and released upon paying the $20,000 bail.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reserved the right to extend Urias’ administrative leave, as he’s done while investigating previous domestic violence cases. Although the left-hander is back with the Dodgers, it’s not yet been determined if he will evade any form of punishment as the investigation into a matter being governed by the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy continues.
Both the Los Angeles Police Department and MLB are believed to still be involved with their respective investigations. One hurdle for the league has been their inability to obtain surveillance video of the incident.
While it reportedly supports witnesses’ claims of Urias becoming physical with his girlfriend, it’s not believed to show the 22-year-old doing so with intent to harm or inflict injury. That could be a factor when determining legal punishment or a possible MLB suspension.
Since the league overhauled their Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy in 2016, Manfred has levied suspensions ranging from 15 to 100 games. The Dodgers as a franchise have taken a strong stance against players involved in such cases.
Per the collective bargaining agreement, L.A., and any other club, is unable to render their own punishment or option a player to the Minors while MLB is conducting an investigation.
As for Garlick, his time with the team comes to an end after three games. The Cal Poly Pomona product made his MLB debut over the weekend against the Cincinnati Reds, lining out in his pinch-hit appearance.
Garlick was involved in a series of roster moves the Dodgers made prior to the series at Great American Ball Park, which included placing Kenta Maeda on the 10-day injured list and optioning JT Chargois and Rocky Gale to Oklahoma City.
Garlick has hit .280/.375/.627 with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 20 RBI through 35 games with OKC thus far in 2019.
