Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urías has been arrested on felony domestic violence charges, marking his second such arrest in the past four years.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the arrest late Sunday, prompting concerns and raising questions about his future in the league.
The 27-year-old Urías was taken into custody shortly after 11pm PST on Sunday and was subsequently booked around 1am, as indicated by jail records. He was later released on $50,000 bond at 4:47am and has a scheduled court date set for September 27th.
This latest incident has put the Dodgers in a difficult situation. The team issued a statement, acknowledging the situation, stating: “We are aware of an incident involving Julio Urías. While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time.”
We are aware of an incident involving Julio Urías. While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2023
This isn’t the first time Urías has faced allegations of domestic violence. In 2019, he was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery, although he was ultimately not charged.
However, as a result of the incident, he received a 20-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. It’s worth noting that no MLB player has been suspended twice for violating this policy since its inception in 2015.
Major League Baseball has initiated an investigation into the recent case. Typically, players charged with domestic violence are placed on administrative leave by the league during such investigations, a practice Urías is familiar with from his previous suspension in 2019.
His court date is set for the final week of the regular season, adding further uncertainty to his immediate future in the league.
Urías had established himself as one of the premier starting pitchers in baseball over the past three years. His peak performance came last season when he boasted a National League-best 2.16 ERA and secured a third-place finish in the Cy Young Award voting.
However, this season has been challenging for Urías, with a 4.60 ERA and a career-high 24 home runs allowed in 117⅓ innings.
As he approaches free agency, the arrest puts a cloud of uncertainty over his career and the Los Angeles Dodgers future plans.
If he is done for the season, do the Dodgers have a realistic chance to win the World Series?