- Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani and his influence on Dodgers: Leading in hits
- Toronto Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on possible extension with Blue Jays: Sooner or later they're going to pay me
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias finds himself facing five misdemeanor charges linked to an alleged altercation with his wife back in September.
Julio Urias' legal situation took a turn in January
The L.A. City Attorney's office disclosed this development on Tuesday, shedding light on a distressing chapter in the athlete's career.
The charges brought against Urias include two counts of domestic battery concerning a dating relationship, along with single counts of assault, false imprisonment, and spousal battery.
These legal entanglements originated from an incident that occurred during a Major League Soccer match at BMO Stadium on September 3, where Urias was subsequently apprehended, booked, and initially charged with felony domestic violence.
Months later, the investigation took a significant turn when the Department of Public Safety obtained cell-phone footage of the alleged altercation outside the stadium.
In December, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office commenced a probe into the matter, concluding in January that while Urias had engaged in physical aggression towards his wife, the severity of her injuries and his criminal history did not warrant felony charges.
Consequently, the case was passed on to the City Attorney's Office, culminating in the misdemeanor charges announced recently.
Scheduled for arraignment on May 2, Urias remains in a state of limbo, both legally and professionally.
Following the filing of charges, Major League Baseball placed him on administrative leave, resulting in his absence from subsequent Dodgers' games and his eventual departure from the team.
Urias' future in baseball up in the air
For the once-promising player, these developments cast a shadow over his future in the MLB.
At 27, Urias now faces the prospect of disciplinary action from the league, potentially jeopardizing his career aspirations.
Under the MLB's policy on domestic violence and sexual assault, even the absence of criminal charges can lead to suspension, a scenario Urias previously encountered in 2019.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Urias remains committed to his profession, as indicated by his agent Scott Boras.
Boras affirms that Urias continues to train and maintain his fitness, expressing confidence in his client's desire to return to the mound.
However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, with MLB's ongoing investigation and the impending legal proceedings likely to shape Urias' fate in the league.