Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that free agent pitcher Julio Urias has been suspended through the 2025 All-Star break for violating the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy. The decision was made public by Commissioner Rob Manfred in a news release.
Urias, who has not played in the major leagues since 2023, will be eligible for reinstatement on July 17, 2025. This marks the second time the pitcher has been disciplined under this policy, with a previous 20-game suspension in 2019 following an arrest for domestic battery.
Legal Troubles and MLB Suspension Leave Urias’ Career in Uncertainty
Urias, 28, spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being placed on administrative leave after his most recent arrest in September 2023. The incident occurred outside a soccer match in Los Angeles, where he got into an altercation with his wife.
In 2024, he pleaded no contest to battery charges stemming from the incident and subsequently entered a treatment program. Despite being a free agent, he remained unsigned during the 2024 season while MLB conducted its investigation.
Julio Urias (MLB)Unlike typical MLB suspensions, which are measured in games, Urias’ ban was set for a specific time period since he is not currently employed by any team. The league chose a suspension that extends through the All-Star break, effectively keeping him out of professional play until mid-July 2025.
This means that upon his reinstatement, he will be free to negotiate and sign with any interested teams, though his future in MLB remains uncertain due to his legal troubles and reputation concerns.
From Rising Star to Uncertain Future: Urias’ Career and Legal Challenges
Originally signed out of Mexico at just 16 years old, Urias made his MLB debut with the Dodgers three years later. Over the years, he became a key contributor to the team’s success, most notably recording the final out of the 2020 World Series. He had a breakout season in 2021, winning 20 games, and finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2022. Prior to his 2023 arrest, Urias was widely expected to secure a lucrative contract exceeding $200 million.
Urias’ legal troubles and repeated violations of MLB’s domestic violence policy have cast a shadow over his once-promising career. While he will be eligible to return in July 2025, it remains unclear whether teams will be willing to take a chance on him given his history. With MLB’s strict stance on domestic violence, Urias faces significant challenges in rebuilding his reputation and securing a spot on a major league roster.
