Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias was arrested late Sunday night on suspicion of felony domestic battery after an alleged altercation with a woman following the LAFC game featuring Lionel Messi.
This latest incident comes after Urias was arrested in 2019 on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery, for which he served a 20-game suspension. With a second domestic violence arrest, many are calling for the Dodgers to terminate Urias’ contract.
Alleged Incident After Messi’s LAFC Debut
According to an anonymous post on the Dodgers subreddit, the incident occurred shortly after the LAFC match featuring Lionel Messi’s home debut. The user, claiming to work at LAFC’s BMO Stadium, provided the following account:
I work at BMO stadium, and my coworkers were the ones that pulled him off her. Apparently he pushed her against a fence and was hitting her until they came to stop it. They said someone was taking a video so maybe it will surface at some point. They also said they watched julio get into a car with her and continue to hit her. Thats when the cops came and got them out of the car.
With the Messi game drawing massive crowds, there were likely many witnesses to the alleged altercation. No video has surfaced yet, but police may obtain security footage from the stadium parking area where the incident allegedly took place.
History of Domestic Violence Accusations
This is not the first accusation of domestic violence against Julio Urias. In May 2019, he was arrested for allegedly pushing a woman to the ground in the parking lot of a Los Angeles shopping mall. The woman refused to press charges, claiming she simply fell. However, Urias still served a 20-game suspension in 2019 for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.
Urias and the woman involved in the latest incident reportedly have a child together. Few details have emerged about the nature of their relationship or history prior to this arrest.
Dodgers Face Decision About Urias’ Future
With a second domestic violence arrest, many are speculating that Urias may have pitched his last game for the Dodgers. Columnist Bill Plaschke wrote in the L.A. Times that “Julio Urias cannot throw another pitch as a Dodger” and that the team “can clearly no longer trust him.”
The Dodgers dealt with a similar situation last year involving star pitcher Trevor Bauer, who was accused of sexual assault and has been suspended by MLB through 2023. The team cut ties with Bauer soon after the allegations surfaced.
Some argue the Dodgers turned a blind eye to warning signs with Urias by keeping him after the 2019 arrest. The team now faces intense scrutiny over their decision to support him after the first incident.
Fallout For Urias’ Career
Even if the Dodgers release Urias, he would face a significant suspension from MLB. After his 2019 arrest, he was suspended 20 games despite never being charged. A second offense would likely bring a suspension of at least a full season.
Urias is a free agent after this season, meaning any team could sign him in 2024 after an MLB suspension is served. However, teams may be unwilling to take a chance on Urias with multiple domestic violence arrests.
Urias was the Dodgers’ opening day starter in 2022 and had been a key part of their starting rotation prior to this incident. He helped lead the team to a World Series title in 2020. With his future in MLB uncertain, Urias may have to continue his playing career overseas once he serves an expected suspension.
Ongoing Legal Case and Investigation
After being arrested on Sunday night, Urias posted $50,000 bond and was released from jail on Monday morning. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the felony domestic battery charge.
Police and MLB will conduct parallel investigations to determine what transpired at LAFC Stadium on Sunday night. With Urias’ playing status this season in jeopardy, the Dodgers will await more details from the investigations before making any decision on Urias’ future with the organization. For now, Urias remains on administrative leave from the team.
The alleged victim’s condition and willingness to press charges will also factor into the investigations. For now, few details are publicly known about what caused Urias’ arrest. As police examine security footage and interview witnesses, a fuller account should emerge in the coming weeks.
Urias’ agent declined to comment on the arrest. The Dodgers organization released a brief statement saying they are aware of the incident and Urias will not travel with the team, but offered no other details.
In the meantime, Urias faces an uncertain future both legally and in his baseball career as this second domestic violence arrest sparks outrage among fans and uncertainty within the Dodgers organization.