What are the charges against Rafael Furcal? Details explored as Ex MLB star gets arrested in Florida

Former MLB player, Rafael Furcal, is facing felony charges for aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, as well as throwing a "missile" (in legal terms) at a vehicle, public or private building. The exact details of the case are still hazy at the time of writing. However, according to reports, the Sunrise Police issued an arrest warrant for Furcal on May 12, 2025. After facing these serious charges, the former baseball shortstop turned himself in at the Broward County Jail in Florida and was released on bail a short while later.

ESPN has revealed that the court records show that Rafael Furcal does have a lawyer. But Furcal's previous agent, Paul Kinzer, decided not to comment on the ongoing case. He did not provide news outlets with a way to contact his former client either.

As mentioned, details regarding Furcal's case are scarce. Even the Sunrise Police refused to share information on the baseball player's charges. However, Furcal did speak to Tenchy Rodriguez, a reporter, and revealed that the "missile" he threw was a rock. He threw it at a truck after the driver attacked him with a knife. Furcal's case is being investigated.

Who is Rafael Furcal?

Rafael Antoni Furcal is a Dominican former professional baseball player. He played shortstop for different teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Miami Marlins, in this order.

Furcal's love for baseball came from his father Silvino. The love for the game between father and son was felt till the end of Furcal's father's life. Silvino would often call his son before games to give him baseball advice.

Furcal did have a few black marks in his record during his career. In 2004, he was arrested for drunk driving and violating his probation. He was caught drunk-driving earlier in 2000, as well. He served 21 days in jail.

Rafael Furcal's career highlights

Rafael Furcal started as a second baseman in Minor League Baseball in 1997 with the Gulf Coast Braves. Later on, in 1999, he started playing shortstop with the Macon Braves and was transferred to the advanced "A" team in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. While he was in Minor League Baseball, he was named "Braves Minor League Player of the Year".

Furcal debuted in the Major League in 2000 with the Atlanta Braves and even won the "National League Rookie of the Year Award" in the same year.

In 2005, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years, and then continued with them again for three years after his contract was up in 2008. Furcal struggled during his first season with the Dodgers, probably because of a back injury. However, he was included in the 2010 National League All-Star team.

In 2011, the Dominican baseball player was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2013, he signed a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins, and in 2015, Furcal minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He retired the same year in May, after seven games for the Wilmington Blue Rocks and Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Not much information on the charges against the Dominican former professional MLB player is known. The retired baseballer mentioned during an interview with a reporter that the act of throwing a rock at the truck was because the driver came at him with a knife. Furcal's case is under investigation, and more details will be released later.

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