Major League Baseball has announced that 23-year-old Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias has been suspended for 20 games under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

The suspension stems from a May 13, 2019 arrest for misdemeanor domestic battery in the parking lot of the Beverly Center shopping mall, after which Urias was immediately suspended for five games that will be subtracted from the final 20-game suspension.

Shortly after his arrest, the Dodgers released the following statement:

“Every allegation of domestic violence must be taken seriously and addressed promptly, and we will cooperate fully with the authorities and Major League Baseball to ensure that that happens in this case.”

Although no criminal charges were filed against the Culiacan, Mexico native, who was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent on August 17, 2012 while only 17 years old, when the victim declined criminal prosecution, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) began their own (joint) independent investigation into the matter because of their very strict policy for such situations. Should that independent investigation find substantive proof that the policy has been violated, they can impose a suspension regardless of whether or not the victim desires criminal prosecution, such as in this case.

Shortly after Saturday’s announcement by MLB, the Dodgers issued this statement:

“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 league allows for players suspended under this policy to continue to workout, which Urias will do at the team’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. He will not be paid during his suspension and will be permitted to begin a minor league assignment on August 27 in preparation for his return to action. He will also be eligible for postseason play.

If Saturday is indeed game one of the 15 games remaining in Urias’ suspension, he will be eligible for reactivation on Monday, September 1, 2019, when the Dodgers open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

As a result of the suspension, the Dodgers recalled right-handed reliever Casey Sadler from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Worthy of note is that Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin also rejoined the team in Atlanta from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, which suggests that another roster move is imminent.

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