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Pirates Bench Ozuna Amidst Slump: What's Next for the Slugger?
18 Jun
Summary
- Marcell Ozuna's $12 million deal with the Pirates hasn't met expectations this season.
- Ozuna has made only five starts in the last 18 games, batting .193 with five home runs.
- Several other Pirates players have outperformed Ozuna at the designated hitter position.
Marcell Ozuna's tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates has not yielded the anticipated results since his offseason arrival on a $12 million contract. Over the past three weeks, his game time has been significantly reduced, with only five starts in the last 18 games. Ozuna's performance has been lackluster, marked by a .193 batting average, five home runs, and a .573 OPS across 51 games.
Several Pirates players, including Ryan O'Hearn and Bryan Reynolds, have demonstrated superior performance at the designated hitter position. This has led to Ozuna receiving fewer opportunities to bat. Manager Don Kelly acknowledged the situation, noting the need to provide playing time for other players and navigate the team's current needs.
Ozuna is slated to start as the designated hitter against the Athletics on June 17, offering a chance to improve his standing. His ability to play only the designated hitter role also presents a limitation, especially when his hitting struggles persist compared to teammates.
The Pirates outfield configuration for the game against the Athletics will see Bryan Reynolds in left field, Jake Mangum in center, and Ryan O'Hearn in right. Henry Davis will catch, and the infield remains unchanged with Konnor Griffin on the injured list.
