Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias accepted a 20-game suspension without pay on Saturday related to his violation of Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy in May, commissioner Rob Manfred announced.
Urias must serve 15 games. MLB said the five games he missed while on administrative leave from May 14 to May 21 will count as part of the 20-game suspension. Urias agreed not to appeal the penalty, according to MLB.
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Julio Urias violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” Manfred said in a statement. “Mr. Urias cooperated fully with my office’s investigation. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urias violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate.”
Urias was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery on May 13 after an incident at a Los Angeles shopping mall. A witness told police that Urias shoved his companion, but her statement to police was that she fell as they argued.
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office announced in early June that no charges would be filed. The city prosecutor said the incident was not worthy of prosecution because it did not result in injury, the alleged victim never claimed to be a victim and that Urias had no criminal record.
The Dodgers released a statement shortly after Saturday’s announcement.
“While we are disappointed in what occurred and support the decision by the Commissioner’s Office, we are also encouraged that Julio has taken responsibility for his actions and believe he will take the necessary steps to learn from this incident,” the team said.
Urias, who turned 23 on Monday, is 4-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 27 appearances (six starts) this season.
The Dodgers called up right-hander Casey Sadler in a corresponding move. Sadler, 29, is 2-0 with an 0.73 ERA in nine appearances with Los Angeles this season.
Sadler began the season with the Tampa Bay Rays and was designated for assignment in late June. He had a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances for the Rays.
