The Pittsburgh Pirates’ patience with Marcell Ozuna has apparently run out. MLB.com’s Jason Mackey reported on Wednesday that the Pirates are releasing Ozuna and calling up Ronny Simon to replace him.
Ozuna, 35, signed a one-year, $12 million contract with Pittsburgh in February. The Pirates hoped he would be an upgrade at DH over franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, whom they did not re-sign last offseason.
Unfortunately, Ozuna got off to a terrible start with Pittsburgh and never recovered, continuing his decline after falling off last year. In 70 games with the Pirates this season, the three-time All-Star hit a paltry .203/.286/.327 with eight home runs, 29 RBI and -1.0 WAR, enduring the worst season of his Major League career.
Pittsburgh’s had one of the best offenses in baseball this year but struggled with Ozuna in the lineup, going 28-42 when he played versus 29-16 when he sat.
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The Pirates are promoting Simon from Triple-A to replace him. The 26-year-old switch-hitter made his MLB debut last year and has been tearing up Triple-A this season, batting .330/.419/.470 with 33 steals, seven homers and 63 RBI in 99 games.
With Pittsburgh one game below .500 and fighting for a playoff spot, perhaps Simon can provide a spark down the stretch.
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