Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías is facing five misdemeanor charges related to a public altercation with his wife, including charges of domestic battery, spousal battery, false imprisonment, and assault. The charges were filed after Urías was arrested in September 2023 outside BMO Stadium, where he and his wife were attending a Major League Soccer game. The Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to press felony charges against Urías, but he could still face significant consequences, including a suspension by MLB.
The incident reportedly occurred after Urías had taken pictures with female fans, leading to an argument with his wife Daisy. Sources claim that Urías became physical, putting his arm around her, slamming her against a fence, pulling her hair, and swinging at her. This is not the first time Urías has been involved in an alleged domestic violence incident, as he was suspended for 20 games under MLB’s domestic violence policy in 2019 for a similar altercation with the same woman. No player has ever been suspended twice under this policy.
Urías was placed on administrative leave by MLB after the arrest and did not return to the Dodgers, ultimately becoming a free agent after the season. He had a successful career with the Dodgers, posting a 3.11 ERA in 158 games and making significant contributions to the team’s postseason runs, including a save in the 2020 World Series. Despite his talent on the field, Urías may face difficulty finding a new team due to his legal troubles and potential suspension.
The Dodgers struggled in the 2023 postseason without Urías, losing all three games in the National League Division Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team’s starting pitchers, including Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller, and Lance Lynn, performed poorly, allowing 13 runs in just 4.2 innings. Urías’ absence was felt on the field, and his future in baseball remains uncertain as he deals with the legal repercussions of his actions.
Despite the charges he is facing, reports suggest that Urías may still look to continue his baseball career, with one report mentioning a possible opportunity to pitch in Japan. His agent, Scott Boras, has indicated that there is interest from teams in signing Urías, who is reportedly still training and staying in shape. It remains to be seen how Urías’ legal case will unfold and what impact it will have on his future in the sport, as he navigates the consequences of his alleged domestic violence incident.
