Julio Urías Eligible to Return to MLB After All-Star Break Following Suspension

Is Julio Urias on his way back to Major League Baseball?

Commissioner Rob Manfred released the following statement on Urias:

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has completed its investigation into allegations that free agent pitcher Julio Urías violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urías violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate.

Further reports indicate that the suspension will end at the conclusion of the 2025 All-Star break. As of July 17th, Urias will be reinstated by MLB. Any team will be able to sign him by that point.

Urias was once a pitcher prodigy out of Mexico. Coming through the Los Angeles Dodgers system, he made his MLB debut in 2016 as a 19-year-old. With strong command and poise, coupled with a wipeout changeup, Urias quickly became one of the most indispensable pitchers within the franchise. He closed out the decisive game of the 2020 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays thus giving LA its first title since 1988.

In 2021, he led the National League in wins (20). The following. year, he led the NL in ERA (2.16).

Everything was setting up for Urias to become an elite pitcher within the sport. However, his career was derailed by off-the-field issues. In 2019, he was arrested for domestic battery. In September of 2023, Urias was arrested for felony domestic violence. He had been seen assaulting a woman outside of an LAFC soccer match. While felony charges were dropped, Urias was charged with five misdemeanor counts. A plea deal was executed in which nearly all of the charges were ultimately expunged.

However during this time, he was placed on administrative leave by MLB. His contract expired at the end of 2023, and the Dodgers allowed him to be a free agent without any plans to bring him back.

It’ll be fascinating to see whether Urias indeed gets another chance to latch on with an MLB club. At only 28 years old, you’d think there’s still some gas in the proverbial tank. Having said that, MLB teams might not want to sign a player with this checkered of a past.

At the very least, it seems virtually impossible that the Dodgers would consider bringing him back under any circumstances.