Marlins recall Marcell Ozuna, place Christian Yelich on DL
The Miami Marlins recalled Opening Day center fielder Marcell Ozuna from Triple-A New Orleans and placed Christian Yelich on the disabled list with a right knee contusion prior to Saturday's game in St. Louis.
Ozuna, optioned to the Zephyrs on July 5 in the midst of a 1 for 37 slump, was sent down to work on mechanics. He posted a .249 average with just 14 doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI in 79 games. Ozuna, who didn't collect his first homer until May 7, had yet to hit one out of Marlins Park.
In 33 games at New Orleans, Ozuna went 38 for 120 (.317) with 12 doubles, one triple, five dingers and 11 RBI. He appeared in center field for 29 of the contests.
The 24-year-old broke out in 2014 by hitting .269 with 26 doubles, five triples, 23 long balls and 85 RBI over 153 games during his first full season. He led all National League center fielders in runs driven in and ranked second behind the Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen (25) in homers.
With Ozuna in the minors, Cole Gillespie has made the most of the opportunity. The 31-year-old, who has spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues, has played in 36 games, batting .317 with nine doubles, one triple, one homer and nine RBI.
Yelich, a 2014 Gold Glover in left, also spent time in center field in Ozuna's absence. His DL stint is retroactive to Monday. He injured his knee while scaling the wall at Turner Field trying to rob Jonny Gomes of a home run last Sunday. Yelich was a scratch from Tuesday's lineup against the Boston Red Sox and initially listed as day-to-day.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
