South Gwinnett News

Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna has returned to the team and said he has already addressed teammates about his domestic abuse arrest last year.

A recent report by ESPN highlighted comments as the outfielder returned to the team for the first time since his May 29 arrest. Ozuna faced charges of aggravated assault by strangulation and battery after officers stated they witnessed him attacking his wife. 

"I spoke to my team and said, 'I'm sorry, I made a mistake.'" Ozuna told ESPN.

While Ozuna was placed on administrative leave during MLB's investigation, he missed the team's World Series championship run last fall, the ESPN report said. In all, Ozuna was suspended for 20 games under the league's domestic violence policy, allowing him to officially return for the beginning of the 2022 season. 

Police bodycam footage obtained by TMZ Sports two days after the league announced Ozuna's suspension appeared to show him grabbing his wife by the neck as officers arrived at the couple's home. A Sandy Springs Police Department statement said the officers also saw Ozuna throwing his wife against a wall and hitting her with a cast he had on his injured hand. 

Ozuna told ESPN that he has completed pretrial diversion program requirements, a condition of the Fulton County District Attorney's office for dropping all charges.

Many of Ozuna's teammates seem to have welcomed him back with open arms. Among comments,  

"It's good to have him back," outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. told ESPN. He added that the things that happened off the field can be challenging for anyone.