Ozuna may get charges dropped, but future unclear
Atlanta outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was arrested in May in a domestic-violence case in Georgia, on Thursday entered into a negotiated resolution that could result in the charges against him being dismissed.
Ozuna, 30, was arrested May 29 — a day after he went on the injured list because of hand injuries — after Sandy Springs, Ga., police officers reported seeing him choke his wife, throw her against a wall and strike her with the cast on his broken fingers. Felony charges later were dropped and Ozuna instead faced two misdemeanors: family violence battery and simple assault.
Under terms of his court agreement, Ozuna faces six months of supervision and must undergo a 24-week family violence-intervention program and complete at least 200 hours of community service. He also is required to take an anger-management course and undergo a psychological evaluation.
If Ozuna completes those requirements early, his supervision could be terminated after three months.
Asked what Thursday’s agreement could mean for Ozuna’s future with the club, Braves officials referred all questions to Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office.
“As Major League Baseball’s investigation is still ongoing, all inquiries into this matter should be referred to the Office of the Commissioner,” a Braves spokeswoman said in response to emailed questions.
In the shortened 2020 season, Ozuna helped lead the Braves to their third straight NL East title. After leading the league in homers, the two-time All-Star signed a four-year, $65 million deal with the team.
Ozuna has appeared in 48 games this season and was batting .213 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
Medical report: Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon went on the 10-day IL because of a partially torn tendon in his right ankle.
“It sounds worse than it is, but his body is going to tell us what he’s able to handle,” said manager Aaron Boone, who noted that Taillon might miss only one start because of the injury.
The list of players landing on the IL also includes Minnesota right-hander Randy Dobnak (finger).
Yankees left-hander Zack Britton, who has not pitched since Aug. 19 because of a UCL issue in his left elbow, had season-ending Tommy John surgery that also puts the reliever’s 2022 season in jeopardy.
Britton, 33, was 0-1 with a 5.89 ERA over 181⁄3 innings in 22 games this season.
Britton’s year has included a bout with COVID-19, surgery for a bone spur in his elbow and a hamstring strain.
Philadelphia right-hander Zach Eflin is scheduled to undergo season-ending knee surgery Friday. He has been out since July 16.
St. Louis left-hander Wade LeBlanc will miss the rest of the season because of an elbow injury, manager Mike Shildt said.
Among the players activated from the IL were Dodgers righthander Tony Gonsolin, Colorado outfielder Yonathan Daza and Kansas City reliever Greg Holland.