Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested Saturday and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and battery, according to Sandy Springs, Georgia, police.
At 12:26 p.m., police received a 911 call directing officers to Ozuna’s home. When officers arrived, they heard screaming from inside and the front door was open. Once officers entered, they say they saw Ozuna strangling his wife and throwing her against a wall.
He also struck her with his cast, which Ozuna wore after he broke two fingers in a game earlier this week. The injury forced Ozuna onto the injured list and the Braves have said it should sideline him for several weeks. Ozuna’s wife had visible injuries, police said, but she was not transported to the hospital.
Ozuna was held at the Fulton County Jail on Saturday night. His charge for aggravated assault by strangulation is a felony in Georgia that holds a minimum of one year and maximum of 20 years in prison. Ozuna signed a four-year deal in February worth $65 million.
In a statement, the Braves said: “We learned of Marcell Ozuna’s arrest earlier [Saturday] evening and immediately informed the Commissioner’s Office. The Braves fully support Major League Baseball’s policy on domestic violence which stresses to the fullest that our society cannot and will not tolerate domestic violence in any form. Until the investigation is completed, we will have no further comment.”
In June 2020, Ozuna’s wife, Genesis, was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly throwing a soap dish at Ozuna, resulting in a cut on his face.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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