The domestic violence charge against left-handed ace Julio Urias (28), who played for the LA Dodgers, was converted to a misdemeanor.
American media outlet MLB Trade Rumors announced on the 10th (Korean time) that “Los Angeles County local prosecutors decided not to file felony charges against free agent pitcher Julio Urias.
The Los Angeles City Prosecutor’s Office will decide on misdemeanor charges.”
Urias debuted in the big league with the Dodgers in 2016 and recorded a total of 158 games (717 innings), 60 wins, 25 losses, and an ERA of 3.11. In 2021, he won 20 games and established himself as a key starting pitcher for the Dodgers. In 2022
he played 31 games (175 innings) with 17 wins, 7 losses, and an average ERA of 2.16, ranking third in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
However, last year, he performed poorly with 11 wins, 8 losses, and an ERA of 4.60 in 21 games (117⅓ innings), and in September
he was arrested by the police on charges of domestic violence and released on bail of $50,000 (about 65.7 million won). 지울프-토토
However, he was unable to play the remainder of the season as the Major League office placed him on administrative leave.
Urias was also arrested by the police in May 2019 on charges of pushing a woman and knocking her down during an argument at a shopping mall.
At the time, the victim avoided court punishment by changing his statement, and the Major League Baseball office only imposed a 20-game suspension. However, there remains a possibility that this incident may lead to legal punishment.
MLB Trade Rumors said, “The prosecution made it clear that they would not proceed with the Urias case as a serious crime charge.
It is being reviewed whether misdemeanor charges will be applied or whether it will lead to criminal proceedings. However, the decision not to file a felony charge does not mean that Urias did not engage in violence,” he explained.
The American media LA Times said, “According to a local prosecutor's report, Urias is accused of 'pushing his wife against a fence and pulling her hair and shoulders.' However, the felony charge was dropped, saying, ‘The victim’s injuries or the defendant’s criminal history do not prove the charge of a serious crime.’”
The Major League Secretariat is expected to confirm the disciplinary action after observing the situation until the criminal litigation issue is resolved. According to the domestic violence policy agreed upon with the players' union
the secretariat can impose disciplinary action even for cases without criminal charges.
Urias, who qualified as a free agent, avoided serious criminal charges, but his chances of returning to the major leagues are slim.
n a similar case, Trevor Bauer, who played for the Dodgers with Urias, was unable to return to the major leagues despite being cleared of sexual assault charges and played in the Japanese professional baseball league last year. American media outlet The Athletic predicted that Urias could play in the Japanese or Mexican league.