MARCELL OZUNA NEWS

Not starting Monday Ozuna is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Impact Though he's produced two home runs through Atlanta's first 10 games, Ozuna has otherwise gone 0-for-25 at the plate with 10 strikeouts against five walks. He still should have a fairly clear path to seeing the lion's share of the reps at designated hitter while both Travis d'Arnaud (concussion) and Michael Harris (back) are on the injured list, but Ozuna's ongoing struggles at the plate mean that he'll likely be subject to more days off than most of Atlanta's other regulars. Eddie Rosario will spell him at designated hitter Monday while Kevin Pillar fills Rosario's usual spot in left field.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs second homer Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Padres.

Impact The veteran slugger took Nick Martinez deep in the third inning to get Atlanta on the board. Ozuna has had a tough start to the season, managing only two hits in 21 at-bats, but both of them have left the yard. It's tough to get unluckier than a .000 BABIP, and his 3:6 BB:K doesn't suggest he's having issues making contact, so his .095 batting average should begin to rise soon enough.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Thursday Ozuna is out of the lineup Thursday against the Padres.

Impact The hot-hitting Travis d'Arnaud will DH and bat cleanup, with Kevin Pillar covering left field and hitting eighth. Ozuna is just 1-for-17 (.059) with six strikeouts out of the gate this season.

APRIL 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Tuesday Ozuna is absent from Atlanta's starting lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Impact Kevin Pillar is in left field and batting ninth versus the Cardinals and left-hander Steven Matz, with Travis d'Arnaud handling DH duties and hitting cleanup. Ozuna slugged a solo homer Saturday against the Nationals, but it's his only hit through 16 plate appearances this season.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard against Nats Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Nationals.

Impact His fourth-inning blast was one of three on the days Atlanta hitters bashed off Josiah Gray. Ozuna has struggled to hit for average the last couple seasons, but the 32-year-old still hit 23 homers in 124 games in 2022 and figures to be a solid power source once again this year, even if the rest of his profile doesn't rebound.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Acuña, Olson back-to-back; Strider Ks 9, Braves top Nats 7-1

Matt Olson hit two of Atlanta’s four homers, and Spencer Strider struck out nine batters in six scoreless innings, leading the Braves to a 7-1 victory over the Washington Nationals

APRIL 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Getting start in left field Ozuna is batting sixth and getting the start in left field Opening Day against the Nationals.

Impact With southpaw Patrick Corbin on the bump for the Nats, Ozuna will move out of the designated hitter role and into the field. The 32-year-old worked on his shoulder strength in the offseason to try and avoid being a defensive liability again, but if he can't hold up with the glove, Kevin Pillar could become the preferred platoon partner in left for Eddie Rosario. Ozuna has has some things to prove at the plate after stumbling to a .222/.278/.397 slash line over the last two seasons.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs first spring homer Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Impact He took Kenta Maeda deep in the third inning, giving Ozuna his first homer of the spring. The 32-year-old slugger is gaining momentum at the plate as Opening Day approaches, and he's now batting .270 (10-for-37) this spring, with half of his hits going for extra bases.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bat heating up Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and four RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Impact The veteran slugger banged out his fourth two-bagger of the spring against Cristopher Sanchez as part of a four-run first inning. Ozuna is now hitting .321 (9-for-28) in camp, and while he's still looking for his first homer, he at least appears ready for Opening Day. The 32-year-old is looking to rebound from a rough 2022 campaign that saw him slash just .226/.274/.413, and he could offer some late-round power production this season.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains favorite for DH job Ozuna has gotten more plate appearances than any Atlanta player who isn't either participating in the WBC or competing for a job through the early part of the Grapefruit League sch...

Impact The 32-year-old worked to improve his shoulder strength in the offseason in an effort to not be such a liability in the field, but Atlanta would be content simply to get some value out of his bat at this point. Ozuna has two years and $32 million remaining on his contract with a $16 million club option for 2025, but over the last two seasons he's played only 172 games due to injuries and off-field issues, posting decent power numbers with 30 homers and 82 RBI but slashing a weak .222/.278/.397.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Braves' Marcell Ozuna trying to return to form; Kyle Wright (shoulder) slowed early Ozuna said his arm is feeling stronger again and hopes to be used more in left field; Wright's spring debut gets pushed back.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

What can you expect from Braves' Marcell Ozuna in 2023? The Braves believe Marcell Ozuna – who is owed $37 million through the rest of a four-year contract that guarantees him $65 million total –...

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • AJC.COM

Not starting Game 4 Ozuna will sit for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Saturday.

Impact Ozuna sat for Game 1 but returned for Games 2 and 3. He's yet to make an impact this series, going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts. William Contreras will get his chance as the designated hitter in Game 4.

OCTOBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies' Robertson injured celebrating, off NLDS roster

Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson will miss the NL Division Series after injuring his right calf jumping to celebrate Bryce Harper’s home run in their clinching wild-c...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench for Game 1 Ozuna will sit for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Tuesday.

Impact Ozuna had a disappointing season overall, hitting .226/.274/.413 in 124 games. He earned a spot on Atlanta's playoff roster nonetheless, but he won't get the start against lefty Ranger Suarez in Game 1. It's possible he starts Game 2 or 3 against righties Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, but it will be William Contreras who serves as the designated hitter Tuesday.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Strengthens bid for playoff roster Ozuna went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in a loss to the Marlins on Wednesday.

Impact Ozuna got the start at DH and gave Atlanta its first (albeit brief) lead with a three-run homer to left field in the sixth inning. The veteran struggled to a .226/.274/.413 slash line over 124 games this season but did contribute power with 23 homers and 56 RBI. Ozuna finished the season hitting well, batting .321 (17-for-53) since the start of September, which may have improved his chance of making the postseason roster, per David O'Brien of The Athletic.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Tuesday Ozuna is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Marlins, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ozuna has played sporadically over the past couple weeks, but he heads to the bench for a second day in a row Tuesday. Robbie Grossman will start in left field while William Contreras draws the start at designated hitter.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits bench Monday Ozuna is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Ozuna will take a seat after going 1-for-6 with a double and two strikeouts after serving as Atlanta's designated hitter over the final two games of its weekend series with the Mets. He'll likely continue to be part of a three-way timeshare at DH with Willson Conteras and Travis d'Arnaud.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back on bench Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Washington, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ozuna went 2-for-7 with a home run, a double, a walk and two RBI while starting against right-handed pitchers the past two days, but he'll cede designated hitter duties to Robbie Grossman in the series finale. Atlanta will likely take a committee approach to the DH spot over the final week of the regular season, making it difficult to depend on Ozuna seeing consistent at-bats.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suárez, Eflin, Alvarado help Phillies shut out Braves

Ranger Suárez pitched six sparkling innings, and the Philadelphia Phillies continued their push toward the club’s first playoff berth in a decade with a 1-0 victory over the Atlant...

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strider dominant, Contreras homers, Braves sweep Phillies

Rookie Spencer Strider took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and struck out 10, William Contreras hit a tiebreaking homer and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains on bench Ozuna isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies.

Impact Ozuna has lost out on regular playing time recently and will be on the bench for the fifth time in the last seven games. William Contreras will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh once again.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Ozuna isn't in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Impact Ozuna started Wednesday against the Giants and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts. However, he'll be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last six games while William Contreras serves as the designated hitter and bats sixth.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Strider, Braves win 7th in a row, beat Athletics 7-3

Rookie Spencer Strider overcame a rough start, Vaughn Grissom and Dansby Swanson homered and the Atlanta Braves won their seventh in a row, beating the Oakland Athletics 7-3

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Olson HR vs former team, surging Braves top A's, catch Mets

Matt Olson hit a three-run homer against his former club and the Atlanta Braves won their sixth in a row, outslugging the Oakland Athletics 10-9 and finally catching the slumping M...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS