Julio Urías Suspended: First MLB Player with Two Domestic Violence Violations

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Major League Baseball announced Friday that former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been suspended through the 2025 All-Star break due to a second violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy. He is set for reinstatement on July 17, 2025, when he will be eligible to sign with any major league team.

Urías, who is the first player in MLB history to be suspended twice under this policy, has not pitched since being placed on administrative leave in September 2023. The length of his suspension is not measured in games, given the variability in each team’s schedule prior to the All-Star break. The Dodgers, for example, have a total of 95 games scheduled before that date.

Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the suspension in a statement, saying, “The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has completed its investigation into allegations that free agent pitcher Julio Urías violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urías violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate.”

The case against Urías is rooted in his arrest on September 3, 2023, outside BMO Stadium following a soccer match. According to court documents, Urías pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge and was sentenced to 36 months of probation. He was also required to complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling program.

Video evidence presented during investigations showed Urías in a physical altercation with his now-wife during the incident. Despite initial investigations into felony charges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney ultimately dismissed those claims, resulting in the misdemeanor charge.

Urías previously faced scrutiny in a separate incident in 2019, which also involved domestic violence allegations. Though no charges were filed at that time, he publicly accepted responsibility for his conduct, stating: “Even in this instance where there was no injury or history of violence, I understand and agree that Major League players should be held to a higher standard. I hold myself to a higher standard as well.”

Under the MLB’s policy, a player can be suspended without formal charges being filed. Of the 18 players who have faced suspensions under this policy, only three received penalties exceeding 95 games. Notably, pitcher Trevor Bauer, a former teammate of Urías, was suspended for two seasons after sexual assault allegations, yet he contested the suspension actively.

As Urías navigates these challenges, he remains a free agent and is not currently signed with any MLB team, although he could potentially sign with a club in the Mexican League while on the restricted list.