Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías’ time in Los Angeles looks to be over after his recent arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence,
The Dodgers have since replaced his locker and it seems like the final chapter in his Dodgers career, and possibly Major League Baseball career, has been written.
In place of Urías’ locker, a new one now bears the name of veteran second baseman Kolten Wong. This change signifies a clear shift within the Dodgers organization, suggesting a likely departure from Urías.
The decision to remove his locker was characterized by manager Dave Roberts as an “organizational” one, who expressed his sentiments about the situation, stating: “I think that’s kind of where we’re at right now.”
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The #Dodgers Dave Roberts on the decision to remove Julio Urias locker from the clubhouse.
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Roberts went on to add, “There’s really not much for me to comment on, other than the fact that, like I said on the first day, this is a very, very unfortunate, sad situation.”
The ramifications of Urías’ arrest have extended beyond the clubhouse. At least two of his murals within Dodger Stadium have been covered up, and there is no longer any sign of his merchandise available in the team’s on-site stores.
Dodgers remove Julio Urías' locker and murals featuring pitcher around Dodger Stadium https://t.co/hDAExpObpm
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 12, 2023
The incident leading to Urías’ arrest occurred on September 3rd, outside BMO Stadium at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. A witness reported a physical altercation between a man, later identified as Urías, and a woman.
Urías was subsequently arrested and booked around 1am PST, before being released on a $50,000 bail at 4:47am. This arrest took place just a day before the Dodgers embarked on a six-game road trip through Miami and Washington, D.C.
The league’s response to Urías’ situation has been swift. Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the MLB Players Association, placed him on administrative leave “until further notice” last Wednesday, casting doubt on his potential return before the end of the season.
In light of this, the Dodgers have announced the cancellation of Urías’ bobblehead giveaway, originally scheduled for September 21st.
Urías, initially signed by the Dodgers as a teenager in 2012, will become a free agent at the conclusion of the current season.
His legal troubles, coupled with a previous suspension of 20 games under MLB’s domestic violence policy in 2019, raise the possibility of him becoming the first player to be disciplined twice under this policy since its inception in August 2015.
Urías’ future in baseball remains uncertain, with both legal and professional challenges looming large.
What do you think the future holds for Urías?