Marcell Ozuna spoke with reporters on Monday as Spring Training began for the Atlanta Braves, and he addressed his domestic violence arrest.
Ozuna was retroactively suspended 20 games last year after police entered his home on May 29, 2021 and saw him with his hands on his wife’s neck. The 31-year-old was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and battery at the time. Some of the details that were later reported about the incident were unpleasant.
Despite the initial charges and details, Ozuna ended up in a pretrial diversion program after his charges were reduced to misdemeanors.
Ozuna’s suspension is complete, and he is expected to be a part of the Braves moving forward. He told reporters Monday that he apologized to his Braves teammates over his arrest, calling it a “mistake.” He also asked the fans to remember him for how they felt about him before the incident.
Marcell Ozuna on returning to #Braves after last year’s arrest on domestic violence charges. pic.twitter.com/cmH4MPpzoW
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 14, 2022
Ozuna is entering the second year of a 4-year, $65 million contract he signed with the Braves before last season. The former Marlins and Cardinals outfielder batted .338 with a league-high 18 homers and 56 RBIs in the shortened 2020 season, leading to his extension with the Braves.
Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
