Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna was placed on administrative leave under the joint MLB-MLBPA domestic-violence, sexual-assault and child-abuse policy for seven days, an MLB official told the AJC on Friday.
The leave can be extended with the approval of the players’ union. Placing Ozuna on administrative leave is not a disciplinary action. Ozuna is paid during the duration of the leave.
Ozuna, 30, was arrested on domestic-violence charges against his wife, Genesis, in May. Felony charges were later dropped to two misdemeanors of family-violence battery and assault. Ozuna agreed to enter the pretrial diversion program Thursday, which could lead to charges being dismissed.
The program’s conditions require Ozuna to be placed on six months of supervision, undergo a 24-week family-violence intervention program and complete at least 200 hours of community service, according to Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Simone Hylton. Ozuna must also take an anger-management course and undergo a psychological evaluation. He must refrain from illegal drug use and is not allowed to have any violent contact with his wife.
If the conditions are met early, Ozuna’s supervision could be terminated after three months. If he completes the pretrial diversion program, Ozuna’s criminal charges would be dismissed. If he doesn’t, the case will proceed with prosecution.
Ozuna, who was on the injured list with two broken fingers when the incident occurred, was in the first year of a four-year contract that guaranteed him $65 million. The Braves signed him to the deal after his offensive production helped them to their third consecutive division title last season.
Even if Ozuna’s charges are dismissed, he still could receive a suspension from MLB, whose investigation into Ozuna is ongoing.
