As the dust is starting to settle following a long and frustrating lockout, Marcell Ozuna spoke to reporters Monday morning to address his domestic violence arrest which stems from an altercation between Ozuna and his wife, where he was caught on video hitting and then attempting to strangle her.
The two-time All-Star was put on administrative leave by the MLB back in September after his arrest in Atlanta on May. 21. All charges ended up being dropped to a misdemeanor and Ozuna did not receive any further suspension from Major League Baseball after missing the rest of the 2021 season, a year that saw the Braves finish with an 88-73 record, clinching the NL East and eventually winning the 2021 World Series.
Speaking with the media at spring training for the first time since his reinstatement, Ozuna said he addressed the incident privately with his teammates and the rest of the organization while also issuing an apology to the fans -- urging them to not change their opinion on him.
"I'm going to give you the best," Ozuna said to reporters at the Braves spring training facility in North Port, FL. "I'm going to be a better person, and I'm sorry."
Ozuna was arrested last year in May. 21 after police say he hit his wife while also attempting to strangle his estranged wife at a residence in Georgia.
The outfielder was initially charged with two felonies, but they were ultimately reduced to a lesser charge. As a part of his consequence, Ozuna must take an anger management course and must complete at least 200 community service hours. He was also placed on 6 months of supervision.
For an incident that was caught on video, the league seemed to let Ozuna off the hook quite easily by just suspending him for 20 games retroactively which allows him to play right away in 2022.
After a down season in 2021 that saw him bat only .213, Ozuna is expected to be in the Braves starting lineup on Opening Day next month.
Related
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram