MLB puts Dodgers’ Uriah in July on administrative leave

Major League Baseball announced it was placing Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Julio Llorías on administrative leave on Wednesday, three days after police arrested the left fielder on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

The furlough was mandated under baseball’s common domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy that MLB and the players union adopted in 2015 and could be the first step toward suspension. Players are paid but cannot play while on vacation.

“The Dodgers family takes all allegations of this nature in this case very seriously, and we do not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “We fully cooperate with MLB’s investigation and support MLB’s authorized enforcement of this policy.”

Urreas, 27, did not travel with the Dodgers’ family after he was arrested late Sunday outside BMO Stadium, where he was watching the football game between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC. He was taken into custody on a charge of bodily injury to a spouse or cohabitant, which may be presented as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Department of Public Safety officers did not provide any details on Wednesday about the circumstances of the arrest, but asked any witnesses with information related to the incident to contact them.

Urias was also on administrative leave in 2019 following his arrest for alleged domestic assault. While not charged, Uriahs was required to complete a year-long domestic violence counseling program, and MLB suspended him 20 games. No player has been suspended twice under the league’s policy set up in 2015.

Uriah’s lawyer, Blair Burke, did not send a message seeking comment.

MLB opened an investigation into the incident on Sunday, when Uriah was arrested and spent about five hours in custody before being released on $50,000 bail. “While we are trying to find out all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team,” the Dodgers said in a statement acknowledging the arrest.

DPS on Wednesday confirmed Uriah’s arrest on charges of violating Penal Code 273.5, which is bodily injury to a spouse or cohabitant. Bodily injury to a spouse requires intentional bodily injury by physical force and is considered a felony.

The Dodgers announced Wednesday that they will replace Urías’ September 21 pitching pitch with a gift from select “outstanding bobbleheads.”

Urías entered 2023 as the Dodgers’ reigning champion, after a season in which he led the National League with a 2.16 ERA and finished third in NL Cy Young voting. Urías was a free agent this winter, and was expected to receive a $200 million-plus contract, but he struggled this season, going 11-8 with a 4.60 ERA and allowing a career-high 24 home runs in just 117⅓.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.