The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially parted ways with designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, a decision made less than half a year after the club secured him with a substantial $12 million, one-year agreement. This move comes as a direct consequence of Ozuna's notably subpar performance throughout the season, failing to meet the team's expectations and investment.
Ozuna's tenure with the Pirates was brief and largely unproductive. In the 70 games he played, his batting average languished at an uninspiring .203, accompanied by only eight home runs and 29 runs batted in. Furthermore, he accumulated 80 strikeouts, highlighting his struggles at the plate. These figures represent a significant decline from his previous seasons, prompting the team's management to reconsider his role.
Following Ozuna's departure, the Pirates have promoted Ronny Simon, a versatile utility player, from their Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. Simon, who is 26 years old, demonstrated strong form in the minor leagues, boasting a .330 batting average, seven home runs, 63 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases over 99 games. He made his major league debut for the season as a substitute, going 0-for-1 with a walk in a 4-2 road loss against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ben Cherington, the general manager for the Pirates, addressed the media regarding the decision. He acknowledged that the team had high hopes for Ozuna's offensive contributions and his veteran presence within the clubhouse. However, Cherington candidly admitted that these expectations were not met, particularly regarding his on-field performance. He took responsibility for the outcome, stating that the situation 'just didn't work out'.
Prior to joining the Pirates, Ozuna, now 35, had a more successful season in 2025 with the Atlanta Braves, where he hit .232 with 21 homers and 68 RBIs in 145 games. This followed an exceptional 2024 season in which the three-time All-Star achieved a .302 batting average, 39 home runs, and 104 RBIs across 162 games. Over his career, Ozuna, a recipient of two Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove, has maintained a .267 batting average, amassing 304 home runs, 977 RBIs, and 1,678 hits in 1,684 appearances with various teams, including the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Braves.
The release of Marcell Ozuna underscores the competitive nature of professional baseball and the necessity for players to consistently perform at a high level. While Ozuna's career record reflects significant past achievements, his recent performance simply did not align with the Pirates' objectives and financial commitment. The team's decision to bring up Ronny Simon signals a shift towards investing in promising talent from within their minor league system to bolster their roster.
