Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested on Saturday and charged with aggravated assault strangulation and misdemeanor battery- family violence in Sandy Springs, GA, according to Fulton County jail records.
Atlanta Braves star Marcell Ozuna was arrested today and charged with aggravated assault strangulation and misdemeanor battery – family violence in Sandy Springs, Ga., according to jail records on the Fulton County (Ga.) website.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 30, 2021
Major League Baseball is expected to open an investigation into Marcell Ozuna following his arrest, sources tell ESPN. He could be subject to the league’s domestic-violence policy and faces a potential suspension.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 30, 2021
If yall thought this season was bad before today, here you go. https://t.co/g8ZWJw8yrK pic.twitter.com/bj9sNk644C
— josh. (@_jmc21) May 30, 2021
That’s as far as the details go right now, but this is obviously very bad.
Ozuna, 30, signed a four-year, $65 million deal with the Braves as a free agent in February after he was a top-three hitter in MLB last season with a .338/.431/.636 slash line. He’s a two-time All-Star that has spent time with the Miami Marlins (2013-17) and St. Louis Cardinals (2018-19) in addition to the Braves (since 2020). He’s currently on the Injured List with two broken fingers suffered earlier this week, and had a disappointing .213/.288/.356 slash line in 30 games this season before the injuries.
Last year, Ozuna’s wife Genesis was arrested and charged with domestic battery after allegedly throwing a soap dish at him that led to a facial injury.
UPDATE: Sandy Springs police released more details on Saturday night about the arrest. Police officers witnessed Ozuna grabbing his wife “by the neck and throwing her against a wall.”
“In addition to the strangulation attempts, the suspect also struck the victim with his arm which has a cast from a previous injury.”
From Sandy Springs, Ga., police: Officers allegedly witnessed Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna grab his wife by her neck and throw her against a wall. He also hit her with a cast on his arm, according to the department's release. pic.twitter.com/jArly4bEIk
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 30, 2021