Pirates Release Marcell Ozuna; Ronny Simon Promoted After .203 Batting Average

Marcell Ozuna was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday after recording a .613 OPS and 29 RBIs through 70 games this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates released designated hitter Marcell Ozuna on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, ending his tenure after 70 games in which he posted a .203 batting average. The 35-year-old veteran, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for 2027, struggled to provide offensive production, finishing his stint with eight home runs, 29 RBIs, and a .613 OPS. Pittsburgh currently sits 3½ games behind the final National League wild-card spot and is attempting to snap a playoff drought spanning ten years.

To replace the three-time All-Star, the Pirates are calling up Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis. Simon, a switch-hitting utility player, currently leads the International League with a .330 batting average. His minor league season includes seven home runs, 63 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases, having reached base in 85 of his 99 appearances this year. The roster move follows a trade deadline where General Manager Ben Cherington focused on the bullpen, acquiring reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets.

Struggles at PNC Park and Roster Shifts

Ozuna’s performance was hindered by his career-long difficulties at PNC Park, a venue historically challenging for right-handed hitters. In 65 career games at the stadium, he averaged .229 with seven home runs. His role on the active roster recently diminished as rookie Esmerlyn Valdez emerged as a primary contributor. Despite the decline, Manager Don Kelly and Cherington had previously defended the veteran, with Kelly specifically highlighting Ozuna's positive influence on the clubhouse's Latin players.

Cherington had noted that underlying metrics suggested Ozuna was close to an offensive turnaround, but the team opted for a change as they entered the final stretch of the season. Ozuna’s production has seen a steady decline since 2024, when he finished fourth in National League MVP voting with a .925 OPS. By 2025, his OPS dropped to .756 during his final season with the Atlanta Braves, where he hit 21 home runs.

Career Context and Braves Tenure

During his time with the Atlanta Braves from 2020 to 2025, Ozuna was one of the most prolific designated hitters in Major League Baseball. His 148 home runs in that six-season span ranked third among all DHs, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber. He originally joined Atlanta on a one-year deal in 2020, recording a career-high 1.067 OPS before signing a four-year, $65 million extension in 2021 that included a club option for 2025.

Ozuna leaves the Pirates with a decorated resume that includes two Silver Slugger awards and one Gold Glove. He received National League MVP votes in four different seasons. However, his 2026 campaign failed to mirror his past success, leading to his departure as Pittsburgh prioritizes Simon’s versatility and high contact rate for the September playoff push.

Bullpen Fortification and Post-Deadline Strategy

The decision to cut the veteran hitter coincides with a broader organizational effort to stabilize the roster. While the offense struggled with Ozuna in the lineup, the front office addressed a "leaky" bullpen through multiple acquisitions. Luke Weaver was the most prominent addition to the relief corps. The Pirates are now banking on Simon’s .330 average and speed to revitalize a lineup that saw Ozuna’s power numbers vanish in the first half of the season.