Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been charged with five misdemeanors related to a domestic violence incident that occurred in September, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Los Angeles City Attorney's office on Tuesday. The charges include one count of spousal battery, two counts of domestic battery involving a dating relationship, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault.

The altercation took place outside BMO Stadium after an LAFC game, where a person reported a physical altercation between Urías and a woman identified as his wife, Daisy. According to the report filed by the Exposition Park Department of Public Safety, the responding officers determined that a physical altercation had indeed occurred. Urías was subsequently taken into custody and released on $50,000 bail the next morning.

An arraignment for the case has been scheduled for May 2. This development raises uncertainty about Urías' future in Major League Baseball as he awaits a decision on the potential misdemeanor charges.

Urías, who is 27 years old, was just months away from expected free agency last September when the incident occurred. He had started the 2019 season with his first career opening day start for the Dodgers but spent the remaining portion of the season on administrative leave. His contract expired in early November, and he was not signed by any other team during the offseason.

In addition to the legal consequences, Urías could also face disciplinary action from Major League Baseball, as the league is currently investigating whether he violated their domestic violence and sexual assault policy for the second time. In 2019, Urías served a 20-game suspension after being arrested but not charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. If found guilty, he could become the first player to be suspended twice under the league's policy.

As of now, it remains unclear whether Urías will ever return to the majors, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings and the league's investigation. It is worth noting that no player has faced such a situation before, making it a pivotal moment for both Urías and Major League Baseball's response to such cases.

According to a source close to the matter, Urías has not yet been interviewed by the league, as players are generally advised not to speak to investigators until the legal process has concluded. An MLB spokesman stated that their investigation is ongoing and declined to provide further comments at this time.

The California Department of Public Safety completed a law enforcement investigation in December, which included reviewing cellphone footage of the alleged incident captured by a bystander. In January, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office decided not to pursue felony charges against Urías, deeming the evidence insufficient for such a filing. The case was subsequently forwarded to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, resulting in the charges filed on Monday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to comment on the situation before their game against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

If convicted, Urías may not face jail time, according to Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro. Shapiro anticipates that the court could order Urías to pay fines, perform community service, and complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling program. He noted that since no charges were filed in a previous incident in 2019, this case would be considered Urías' first offense.

The outcome of this case will depend on several factors, including the testimony of Urías' wife and the severity of any injuries sustained during the altercation. As the legal process unfolds, the future of Urías' baseball career hangs in the balance.