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With a new video revealed about the September 2023 domestic violence incident, Julio Urias' future in the Major Leagues hangs in the balance.
MLB, which is still gathering evidence, has not yet made a decision on a possible sanction, but if the suspension is upheld, Urias could become the first player to be sanctioned twice under the league's domestic violence and sexual assault policy.
A new twist in the story
The 72-second video, obtained by the Los Angeles Times through a public request to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), sheds new light on the violent altercation that occurred in front of BMO Stadium.
In it, the former Dodgers pitcher is seen pushing his wife against a fence and pulling her hair, as previously described by the district attorney. After a brief separation, Urias delivers a blow with his left hand while being restrained by security.
The unknown of the sanction
So far, MLB has not offered a clear timeline for its verdict, although a spokesman said Wednesday that "the league continues to gather all relevant evidence in our investigation".
This silence has added to the tension surrounding Urias, who has not played since being placed on istrative leave at the end of the 2023 season.
The players' union and Urias' agent, Scott Boras, have also declined to comment, leaving everything up to the league's investigation. However, the consequences could be severe: MLB's domestic violence policy allows a player to be sanctioned even if he has not been formally charged with a crime, as in this case.
A past that haunts him
This is not the first domestic violence incident in which Urias has been involved. In 2019, he was arrested at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles for an incident in which witnesses claimed he pushed his wife in a parking lot.
Although no charges were filed, Urias agreed to participate in a treatment program and was suspended 20 games by MLB.
At the time, Urias took responsibility, stating that although no charges were filed, he accepted that Major League Baseball players should be held to a higher standard of conduct.
This new incident calls into question whether he has learned from that lesson and, more to the point, whether he will have another chance at redemption in professional baseball.