Domestic Violence Charge Has Braves' Ozuna Retroactively Suspended 20 Games

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna is being suspended for 20 regular-season games, officials said.

Major League Baseball is retroactively suspending Ozuna without pay for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. The discipline includes all 20 games missed from Sept. 10 when he was placed on administrative leave through the end of the 2021 season, according to MLB reporter Mark Bowman.

“Any instance of domestic violence is unacceptable, and we fully support the decision by the Commissioner’s Office regarding Marcell,” the Braves organization said in a statement. “We are encouraged to know that Marcell has accepted full responsibility for his actions and is taking the necessary measures to learn and grow from the situation.”

Ozuna was arrested by Sandy Springs Police on May 29 and charged with felony aggravated assault by strangulation and battery, both under the Domestic Violence Act in an incident with his wife. The felony charge was dropped in July.

“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,” Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said in a statement. “Having reviewed the totality of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Ozuna violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate.”

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