Ex-Dodger Julio Urías suspended for violating domestic violence policy

If Julio Urías pitches again in Major League Baseball, it would not be before July.

The former Dodgers standout and current free agent has been suspended through the All-Star break for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, the league announced Friday.

“Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urías violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

The league said Urías has agreed to submit to an evaluation by the Joint Policy Board and to comply with any of the board’s recommendations. 

“MLB will continue to make support services available to Urías and his family,” the statement said.

Urías pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery in May and four other misdemeanor charges were dropped following an arrest in September 2023 under suspicion of domestic violence.

Video later obtained by the Los Angeles Times showed Urías charging at his wife and another woman outside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and taking a swing at his wife.

It was unclear if his punch connected.

MLB placed Urías on administrative leave shortly after the altercation, and he has not pitched in the majors since Sept. 1, 2023.

Urías also had been suspended 20 games in 2019 under the league’s domestic violence policy.

The 28-year-old lefty had been among the better pitchers in baseball since debuting in 2016 and owns a career 3.11 ERA in 158 games.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.