SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Atlanta Braves star outfielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested Saturday, accused of choking his wife and slamming her against a wall, according to reports. Sandy Springs police said they witnessed the crime, which led to the arrest.
Ozuna, 30, is a native of the Dominican Republic. He was taken into custody by Sandy Springs police and is being held in the Fulton County Jail on charges of aggravated assault by strangulation and misdemeanor battery. His wife, Genesis Guzman, had visible injuries following the domestic violence but was not transported to a hospital, authorities told ESPN.
Police said they received a call about 12:26 p.m. on Saturday regarding a possible assault inside a home. Responding officers heard “screaming coming from inside” the home when they arrived, FOX 5 reported.
“Officers entered the residence through the front door and witnessed the suspect grabbing the victim by the neck and throwing her against a wall,” according to the Sandy Springs police report.
The Atlanta Braves released a statement Saturday evening saying in part, “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.”
In 2020, Ozuna He hit .338, led the National League with 18 home runs in the COVID shortened season, and finished sixth in NL MVP balloting. He re-signed with Atlanta in February on a $65 million, four-year deal, according to Fox 5.
Ozuna is in his ninth major league season. He is a .273 career hitter with 173 homers and 620 RBIs.
The details of the crime put into question Ozuna’s future in baseball, with sources telling ESPN that MLB will launch an investigation that could result in a significant suspension. Further, sources said, since police officers witnessed the incident, it could prompt the Braves to try to convert Ozuna’s four-year, $65 million contract to non-guaranteed.
Ozuna’s arrest came nearly a year to the date that his wife, Genesis, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, according to ESPN.
It was not clear when Ozuna would make his first court appearance.
