Cobb Reporter

Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna has been retroactively suspended for 20 regular-season games by Major League Baseball for violating the league's domestic violence policy.

"My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Marcell Ozuna violated Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Having reviewed the totality of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Ozuna violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate."

The suspension is retroactive to Sept. 10 and covers the final 24 days of the regular season while he was on administrative leave.

Ozuna, 31, was arrested on May 29 after police officers in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs said they witnessed him attacking his wife, Genesis, while the officers were responding to a 911 call. The original charges against Ozuna included felony aggravated assault by strangulation. 

However, in July, the prosecutors dropped his felony charge. In September, there was a chance of his domestic violence case being dismissed when Ozuna entered the diversion program. But at that time, Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Simone Hylton gave Ozuna some conditions to meet that included six months of supervision that can be reduced to three. It also includes at least 200 hours of community service, a 24-week family violence intervention program, and an anger management course.

Ozuna's suspension will cost him approximately $1.55 million of his $12 million salary. Last season, he had signed a four-year, $65 million contract with Atlanta. 

"Any instance of domestic violence is unacceptable, and we fully support the decision by the commissioner's office regarding Marcell," the Braves said in a statement. "We are encouraged to know that Marcell has accepted full responsibility for his actions and is taking the necessary measures to learn and grow from the situation."

Ozuna's next court appearance is on Jan. 13.