Julio Urías Set for Reinstatement After Domestic Violence Suspension, Eyes Controversial MLB Comeback and Chance at Career Redemption
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías is set to be reinstated from his domestic violence suspension, and according to multiple reports, he is intent on continuing his Major League Baseball career despite the controversy and stigma that still surrounds his name. The reinstatement process, which follows months of investigation, review, and legal resolution, clears the way for Urías to return to the mound, though his path back to an MLB roster will undoubtedly be a complicated and heavily scrutinized one.
Urías, once one of the brightest young stars in baseball and a key piece of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series run, has spent the past several months in limbo following his second involvement in a domestic violence case. The most recent incident, which occurred in late 2023, resulted in his removal from the Dodgers’ roster and indefinite placement on administrative leave. MLB’s joint domestic violence policy with the MLB Players Association allows for suspensions independent of criminal charges, and Urías, despite avoiding jail time through a negotiated settlement, faced significant league discipline.
Now, with the suspension served and MLB clearing him for reinstatement, Urías finds himself at a career crossroads. He is still just 28 years old, with a track record that includes postseason excellence, a 20-win season, and a 2.16 ERA campaign in 2022 that established him as one of the premier left-handed pitchers in baseball. But off the field, his reputation has been severely damaged. His prior incident in 2019—also a domestic violence case, though charges were dropped—left many with serious concerns. The second, more recent case has raised further questions about his character, trustworthiness, and future in the game.
Urías’s desire to return to MLB will depend not only on his personal rehabilitation but on whether any organization is willing to absorb the inevitable backlash that will come with signing him. In recent years, teams have increasingly weighed the optics and ethical dimensions of bringing back players involved in off-field misconduct, especially in domestic violence cases. The standard for reentry is not purely about talent; it’s also about contrition, accountability, and whether a player has taken meaningful steps toward rehabilitation.
Publicly, Urías has been quiet throughout the process. His representatives have issued only minimal statements, focusing on his cooperation with MLB’s investigation and his intention to return to baseball. There has been no press conference, no televised apology, no community outreach campaign—at least not yet. Those actions, or the absence of them, will likely play a significant role in how teams assess his readiness to return to the sport. Some organizations may view his silence as strategic restraint, while others might interpret it as a lack of accountability.
What remains clear is that Urías wants to pitch again. His agent has reportedly contacted several MLB teams to gauge interest, and while no front-runners have emerged, a few organizations are said to be doing their due diligence. In a league where pitching is always in demand and left-handed starters with elite stuff are hard to find, there is likely to be at least some interest—albeit guarded and heavily caveated.
For the Dodgers, a reunion appears unlikely. The team publicly distanced itself from Urías after his suspension and removed his likeness from promotional materials and stadium imagery almost immediately. After supporting him through the 2019 incident, the franchise took a more decisive stance this time, signaling that a return was not in the cards. Los Angeles has invested in other starters and appears to be building its future rotation around arms like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone.
Urías’s departure from the Dodgers, while initially viewed as a temporary pause due to legal proceedings, now looks permanent. The franchise, long known for balancing talent with character in its clubhouse culture, has shown little appetite for welcoming Urías back into the fold. Even if his suspension is officially over, the door in Los Angeles seems closed.
That leaves Urías in search of a fresh start, though the challenges ahead are numerous. Teams interested in signing him will not only have to evaluate his pitching ability after months away from competitive baseball, but also contend with public relations concerns, potential protests, and backlash from fans and advocacy groups. In a media landscape more attuned than ever to issues of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, any team that signs Urías will have to craft a careful and transparent narrative—one that centers accountability, reform, and second chances without minimizing the seriousness of the offense.
There is precedent for players returning to MLB after domestic violence suspensions. Aroldis Chapman, Addison Russell, Roberto Osuna, and Marcell Ozuna are among those who have found opportunities after serving penalties. But the degree of their success and the public reception varied widely, often depending on how transparent and remorseful the players were post-suspension. Teams were often criticized for failing to require genuine contrition or community engagement from these players, and in some cases, the backlash lingered long after the signing.
For Urías to truly return, he will need more than just a glove and cleats. He will need a platform—likely guided by advisors or PR experts—to demonstrate that he understands the gravity of his actions and has taken meaningful steps to address them. Whether that includes counseling, partnerships with domestic violence prevention organizations, or public apologies, the road to reinstatement is about more than just league policy—it’s about societal expectations.
There’s also the question of what kind of pitcher Urías will be upon return. Prior to his suspension, he had been battling inconsistency in 2023. His fastball velocity had dipped slightly, and his ERA had climbed above 4.00 after a pair of dominant seasons in 2021 and 2022. It’s possible the mental strain of ongoing legal issues contributed to his performance decline. Still, he remains a pitcher with elite pedigree—one capable of being a frontline starter if he can return to form.
Urías’s best years with the Dodgers included shining moments on the biggest stages. He closed out the 2020 World Series with a now-iconic strikeout to deliver Los Angeles its first championship in over three decades. In 2021 and 2022, he led the rotation with consistency and confidence. At his peak, he combined command, deception, and poise in ways few young pitchers could match. His blend of experience and youth means he could have several productive years ahead—if he’s granted the opportunity.
But baseball is different now. Fans are different. Front offices are more risk-averse and more aware of public perception. For Urías, this comeback attempt will be about more than stats or mechanics. It will be a referendum on what the sport is willing to accept—and how far a player must go to earn back trust after violating its most basic standards of conduct.
Whether Urías lands with a contender looking for rotation depth or a rebuilding club willing to take a gamble on upside remains to be seen. He may need to settle for a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, or he may receive an incentive-laden one-year contract to prove he can still perform. Either way, he will be under intense scrutiny—not just for his performance, but for his conduct, his demeanor, and his willingness to accept responsibility.
As of now, no official announcement has been made about where Urías might land. But his reinstatement sends a clear signal: his suspension is over, but his reckoning with the sport and its fans is only beginning. His future in baseball depends on more than talent—it depends on whether he can show growth, humility, and true remorse.
For some, Urías’s return is a second chance. For others, it is a test of baseball’s moral compass. How the league, its teams, and its fans respond will reveal just as much about the culture of the sport as it will about the pitcher seeking redemption.
