Dodgers take next step toward erasing Julio Urías with mural, locker decisions

A few weeks ago, it already seemed quite likely the Dodgers and left-hander Julio Urías would be parting ways this offseason, with Scott Boras steering him in a different direction.

Now, the parting of the ways has taken on a decidedly different tone.

Urías was arrested last week after a witness reported an altercation between the 27-year-old and his female companion at an LAFC soccer match. He was processed and released after posting bail, but MLB vowed to keep him away from the field regardless, placing Urías on administrative leave while their investigation took place. The expectation is that said investigation will keep him off the field through the remainder of the season (and likely longer).

In conjunction with MLB's efforts, the Dodgers have done their best to distance themselves from Urías immediately (though this is his second arrest for the same offense, the first instance coming in 2019). After allowing Trevor Bauer to travel with them to Washington, DC post-allegations and nearly installing him for his scheduled start, this degree of action deserves commendation.

Last week, the team canceled a scheduled Urías bobblehead day. Now, they've begun to paint over or cover up certain murals featuring the ex-Dodger around the ballpark.

Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías being erased from Dodger Stadium

It's only a matter of time now. And when Kolten Wong has your locker now, that pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Countless questions remain about Urías' baseball future, but the one that can be answered definitively is no, the Dodgers will not be the ones paying his next contract, no matter the amount. Andrew Friedman did not show due diligence in pursuing Bauer, whose online bullying and misbehavior was well-known long before any legal allegations arose. He extended Urías his roster spot following the 2019 incident, which also reportedly occurred in public.

It took many straws to get the Dodgers' organization to this point, but this public arrest -- spurred by a brave witness -- appears to be the last one.