The Los Angeles Dodgers removed multiple references at Dodger Stadium to pitcher Julio Urias, who is on administrative leave from the league following his felony arrest for domestic violence.
As of Monday night, the team had given away Urias’ locker and either covered up or painted over two murals around the Stadium that included the former World Series winner, who struck out the final batter of Game 6 of the 2020 World Series to bring a championship to Los Angeles for the first time since 1988.
Urias’ locker space was given to veteran infielder Kolten Wong, who signed a minor league contract with the team in August and was added to the 40-man roster on September 1.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if the club’s moves around the stadium indicate the team is moving on from Urias.
“I think so,” Roberts replied. “That’s where we’re at. There’s not much for me to comment on. It’s just like I said on the first day. It’s just it’s a very, very unfortunate, sad situation.”
The 27-year-old left-hander was placed on indefinite leave by Major League Baseball after being arrested on September 3 following an incident outside BMO Stadium in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.
While patrolling outside the stadium after the Inter Miami vs. LAFC soccer match featuring star Lionel Messi, Department of Public Safety officers responded to an unidentified witness reporting a physical altercation between a man and a woman.
The DPS spoke to the individuals, determined an altercation had occurred and arrested Urias on suspicion of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. He was released on a $50,000 bond and has a court date scheduled for Sept. 27.
It’s Urias’ second domestic violence arrest in four years.
Players facing domestic crimes are typically placed on administrative leave by the league during the investigation.
Urias was previously arrested for domestic battery in May 2019. MLB suspended him 20 games after he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground in a Los Angeles mall parking lot.
Prosecutors elected not to file misdemeanor charges in that incident provided that he meet certain conditions, including 52 weeks of domestic counseling.
Urias is 11-8 with a 4.60 ERA in 21 starts this season.
A 20-game winner in 2021 and the National League ERA leader (2.16) in 2022, Urias is 60-25 with a 3.11 ERA in 158 games (122 starts) since making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2016.
He finished third in the NL Cy Young voting last season.
Urias was working on a one-year, $14.25 million contract for the 2023 season and is due to become an unrestricted free agent in November.
–Field Level Media