Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias pleaded no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge connected to his arrest last September on suspicion of domestic violence, per ESPN.
The former Dodgers pitcher was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community service as well as a 52-week domestic violence counseling course, said a spokesperson for the L.A. City Attorney’s Office. Additionally, Urias must pay a domestic violence fund fee, not possess any weapons, not use any force or violence, pay restitution to the victim and abide by a protective order.
The four other misdemeanor charges against Urias — an additional count of domestic battery involving a dating relationship, as well as one count each of spousal battery, false imprisonment and assault — were dismissed.
Urias was originally arrested Sept. 3 of last year on suspicion of felony domestic violence for an incident that occurred in the parking lot of BMO Stadium after an LAFC soccer match. An eyewitness to that incident says that they saw Urias get into a physical altercation with his wife. Urias was booked on suspicion of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and released on $50,000 bail the next morning.
After his arrest, the Dodgers proceeded to wipe any likeness of Urias in their stadium. On the other hand, MLB placed Julio Urias on administrative leave.
MLB may opt to suspend Urias, and it will likely be a lengthy suspension. He was already suspended in 2019 following a separate incident that occurred with a woman.
As for the question of if Urias will ever pitch at the MLB level again, the answer is uncertain. Urias probably will never pitch in a Dodgers uniform again. Right now, the odds of any MLB team signing Urias are extremely slim as well given the seriousness of the charges.
Urias has a record of 60-25 in his eight Major League seasons, all with the Dodgers. In his final three years, he dominated with a 48-18 win-loss record.
Dodgers rolling through early part of season
The Dodgers lead the National League West with a 20-13 record behind their (as expected) stellar offense.
Starting in the Korea Series and running all the way through the end of the month, Mookie Betts has been the best all-around player in baseball. He leads the league by a wide margin with a 1.118 OPS, including the best batting average (.377) and on-base percentage (.479).
While Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman were expected to mash at a considerable clip, the Dodgers are getting contributions from unexpected sources as well.
Catcher Will Smith, who hit .261 last season, is hitting a scorching .355 with 24 RBIs and a .950 OPS.
The Dodgers signed Smith to a 10-year, $140 million contract extension in spring training. After agreeing to the deal, Smith shared his excitement.
“It’s exciting. You know, it’s something I think a lot of players hope for,” Smith said. “I’m fortunate enough to be given that opportunity by the Dodgers. Yeah, I always wanted to stay a Dodger, I love being there. I don’t think there’s anyone more committed to winning and winning World Series than the Los Angeles Dodgers. I’m just excited for the opportunity to be a part of that.”
So far so good.
