NEW YORK - Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated assault by strangulation and battery after police officers said they witnessed him attacking his wife.
A statement from the Sandy Springs (Georgia) Police Department said officers responded to a 911 call Saturday afternoon and entered a home where the front door was open and they heard screaming coming from inside.
The statement said officers witnessed Ozuna grab his wife by the neck and throw her against a wall.
"In addition to the strangulation attempts, the suspect also struck the victim with his arm which has a cast from a previous injury," the statement read.
"The victim did have visible injuries, but was not transported to the hospital," the police report continued.
Ozuna has been booked into the Fulton County Jail. An apparent photo of his arrest was posted on Twitter. Sandy Springs is a suburb of Atlanta.
Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations plans to review the matter under the joint domestic violence policy in place between MLB and the players' union.
"We learned of Marcell Ozuna's arrest earlier this evening and immediately informed the Commissioner's Office," the Braves said in a statement released Saturday evening. "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 was placed on the injured list Friday by the Braves with two dislocated fingers on his left hand. In the photo circulating of his apparent arrest, he's wearing a bright yellow cast. The injury occurred while Ozuna was running the bases during Tuesday's road win against the Boston Red Sox, and he was expected to miss approximately six weeks while recovering.
The Braves are in New York for a series against the Mets this weekend. After the scheduled opener was postponed Friday with heavy rain in the forecast, Atlanta lost 13-2 on Saturday night, and manager Brian Snitker said he learned of the arrest after the game.
"The Braves have made a statement. I stand by that, and that's all I know," Snitker said.
Ozuna re-signed with Atlanta in February on a $65 million, four-year deal after a stellar first season with the Braves in 2020.
He batted .338, led the National League with 18 home runs and finished sixth in NL MVP balloting, becoming a fan favorite in the process with his colorful celebrations, including mimed selfies after home runs.
The 30-year-old from the Dominican Republic hit it off with young teammates Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies. Ozuna also was a driver of the club's pot-stirring hand motion, used by players to celebrate big hits.
Ozuna's wife Genesis was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Miami a year ago Saturday.