Atlanta Braves left fielder Marcell Ozuna runs to first base against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on May 6. Last Tuesday, he fractured two left fingers and Friday was placed on the injured list. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI |
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May 30 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested after police officers in suburban Atlanta reported they saw him strangle his wife, throw her against a wall and strike her with the cast on his broken fingers.
The 30-year-old Ozuna, who was sidelined after breaking two fingers in a baseball game, was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and family violence, according to jail records in Fulton County. He was being held without bond late Saturday at the Fulton County jail.
At 12:26 p.m. Saturday, a 911 caller reported an assault in progress in Sandy Springs in northwest Fulton County, Sgt. Salvador Ortega said late Saturday.
"Officers entered the residence through the open door and witnessed the suspect grabbing the victim by the neck and throwing her against a wall," Ortega said in an emailed statement to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Officers were able to immediately take the suspect into custody without further incident. In addition to the strangulation attempts, the suspect also struck the victim with his arm which has a cast from a previous injury."
Ozuna's wife, Genesis, had visible injuries but did not go to the hospital, investigators said.
One year ago, Genesis Ozuna, was arrested after a domestic dispute.
"We learned of Marcell Ozuna's arrest earlier this evening and immediately informed the Commissioner's Office," the Braves said in a statement. "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 and all inquiries into the matter should be referred to the Office of the Commissioner."
Ozuna, who was born in the Dominican Republic, re-signed with Atlanta after the shortened 2020 season.
The outfielder led the National League in home runs with 18 and batted .338. This year he is batting .288 with seven homers.
A nine-year veteran, Ozuna first played in the majors with the Miami Marlins for five years then two with the Atlanta Braves.
In his career, he is batting .273 with 173 homers.
