The Pittsburgh Pirates have released designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, ending a disappointing tenure little than six months aft signing the seasoned slugger to a one-year, $12 cardinal declaration intended to fortify the club’s offense. The determination comes arsenic Pittsburgh continues to propulsion for a National League postseason berth portion seeking greater accumulation from its lineup.
Ozuna, 35, struggled passim the season, batting .203 with 8 location runs, 29 RBIs and 80 strikeouts crossed 70 games. Signed aft productive seasons with Atlanta that included 39 location runs and 104 RBIs successful 2024, the three-time All-Star ne'er regained that signifier successful Pittsburgh. His playing clip steadily declined successful caller weeks, with rookie contributors and different lineup options taking connected larger roles arsenic the Pirates searched for much accordant violative production.
Pittsburgh is expected to fill Ozuna’s roster spot by recalling versatile switch-hitter Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis. Simon has emerged arsenic 1 of the International League’s apical performers this season, batting .330 with 7 location runs, 63 RBIs and 33 stolen bases successful 99 games, giving the Pirates different enactment arsenic they reshape their roster for the agelong run.
Ozuna finishes his little Pirates stint aft an offseason acquisition that was viewed arsenic a cardinal summation to an discourtesy that ranked adjacent the bottommost of the majors successful 2025. Despite his struggles successful Pittsburgh, helium owns a lengthy large league résumé that includes stops with the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and Pirates, compiling a vocation .267 batting mean with 304 location runs, 977 RBIs and 1,678 hits. Because of his declaration and declining production, helium is expected to walk done waivers earlier determining his adjacent opportunity.
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