Braves’ Marcell Ozuna Suspended 20 Games for Domestic Violence Violation but Still Eligible to Play Next Season
Amy Dash
|
Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna received an unpaid, retroactive 20-game suspension Monday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced.
The league concluded that Ozuna violated its domestic violence policy when he was arrested back in May following an altercation with his wife.
Ozuna, who was placed on administrative leave Sept. 10, already technically served the suspension and will be eligible to play in 2022 at the start of next season.
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Marcell Ozuna violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a release. “Having reviewed the totality of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Ozuna violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate.”
Back in May, Ozuna was charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault in Fulton County, Georgia when police responded to a domestic violence call. The responding officer claimed he witnessed the Braves star strangling his wife, “grabbing the victim by the neck and throwing her against a wall.”
While Ozuna was originally arrested for strangulation, prosecutors dropped that allegation and brought lesser charges of misdemeanors after reviewing the bodycam video. Ozuna settled the case by agreeing to enter a pre-trial diversion program, do community service and take anger management courses. He was never convicted and the charges were ultimately dropped.
The domestic disturbance came days after he dislocated the ring and middle fingers on his left hand and went on the injured list.
Meanwhile, the Braves went on to win their first World Series since the mid-90s without Ozuna. He lost over a million and a half dollars as a result of the suspension.
In 2020, Ozuna’s wife, Genesis, was arrested for causing a laceration to his face after allegedly throwing a soap dish at him.
Categorized:More
