Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urías found himself in legal trouble once again, as he was arrested on felony domestic violence charges late Sunday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. This marks the second domestic violence-related arrest for the 27-year-old pitcher in the past four years. The incident occurred just after 11 p.m. PT, and Urías was subsequently booked into jail around 1 a.m., as per jail records. He was later released on $50,000 bond at 4:47 a.m. and is scheduled to appear in court on September 27.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, in an official statement posted on their social media channels, including X (formerly Twitter), acknowledged the situation involving Julio Urías. The team noted that he is not currently with the squad as they embark on a six-game road trip that begins in Miami on Tuesday.
This isn’t the first time Urías has faced legal trouble related to domestic violence allegations. In 2019, he was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery. While he ultimately was not charged in that case, he did receive a 20-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. It’s noteworthy that, since the policy’s inception in 2015, no MLB player has been suspended twice for violating it.
Currently, Major League Baseball is actively investigating this new domestic violence case, according to a reliable source. Typically, when players are charged with domestic violence, the league places them on administrative leave during the investigation, as was the case with Urías in 2019. It is worth mentioning that Urías’ court date is set for the final week of the regular season, adding a layer of complexity to his professional career and the Dodgers’ playoff hopes.
Julio Urías has been a standout performer among MLB pitchers over the past three years, achieving his peak performance last season with a National League-best 2.16 ERA and a third-place finish in the Cy Young Award voting. However, as he stands on the brink of free agency, this season has presented challenges, with Urías struggling on the mound, posting a 4.60 ERA and allowing a career-high 24 home runs in 117⅓ innings.
As this legal matter unfolds, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and fans alike will be closely monitoring the situation and awaiting further developments. The outcome of the investigation and Urías’ court proceedings will undoubtedly have significant implications for his career and the reputation of professional baseball as a whole.
