Disturbing footage has been released that captures former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías in the act of physically assaulting his wife. According to NBC Los Angeles, the video, which lasts just over a minute, was taken after an LAFC soccer game near BMO Stadium, and it allegingly shows Urías slamming a woman, believed to be his wife, against a fence and attempting to strike her as bystanders intervene. The California Highway Patrol, which provided the video, did so in response to a California Public Records Act request filed by the LA Times.
The footage has since energized ongoing conversations about domestic violence and the ramifications for athletes who engage in such behavior. Despite his talent on the mound, having led the majors with a 2.16 ERA in 2022 and securing 20 wins in the preceding season, Urías's actions off the field have led to serious repercussions. KTLA reports that Urías pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery, and has remained a free agent since being placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball, which is now pondering his future within the sport.
Major League Baseball has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the newly released video, as their investigation continues to gather evidence. An MLB spokesperson told New York Post, "MLB is continuing to gather all the relevant evidence in our investigation." The league's response is notably significant considering Urías could potentially become the first player to be banned twice under MLB's domestic violence policy. In 2019, he received a 20-game suspension after a previous incident at a shopping mall.
Reaction from the public has been swift and condemning. "He lost his opportunity by putting his hands on a woman. No man should ever put his hands to hit a woman," Dodgers fan Eddie Garcia said in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
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