Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías entered a plea of no contest to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery on Wednesday. This plea came after four other misdemeanor charges against Urías were dropped. The charges, including spousal battery, domestic battery involving a dating relationship, false imprisonment, and assault, stemmed from an incident in September where Urías was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
As part of the plea agreement, Urías was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community labor. Additionally, he must undergo a 52-week domestic violence counseling course, pay a domestic violence fund fee, not possess any weapons, refrain from using force or violence, pay restitution to the victim, and adhere to a protective order.
Following his arrest, Urías was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file felony charges and transferred the case to the city attorney for consideration of misdemeanors.
According to a charge evaluation worksheet, Urías was involved in a physical altercation with his wife, during which he pushed her against a fence and pulled her by the hair or shoulders. However, the severity of the injuries and Urías' criminal history did not warrant felony charges.
Urías, who became a free agent after the World Series, had previously been arrested in May 2019 on suspicion of domestic battery. He was suspended for 20 games by MLB and required to complete a domestic violence counseling program.
MLB's investigation into the recent incident involving Urías is ongoing, and he could face suspension under the league's domestic violence policy. Despite no criminal conviction, MLB has the authority to suspend players found to have violated the policy.
It is worth noting that no player has been suspended twice under MLB’s domestic violence policy, highlighting the significance of the current situation involving Urías.
