In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Mets clinched a decisive victory over the Pirates, despite Pittsburgh's offense putting up a strong fight with seven runs. One storyline that stood out was the subdued performance of former Brave, Marcell Ozuna.
Ozuna's day at the plate was less than stellar, going 0-for-4 with a couple of weak popouts and a strikeout. While it's just one game, it does raise eyebrows about Atlanta's decision to let him walk this offseason.
When Jurickson Profar faced his second suspension, the Braves found themselves scrambling to fill the designated hitter role. By then, most viable DH options had already found new homes, leading to some frustration among fans when they realized Ozuna had joined the Pirates. With new faces like Mike Yastrzemski and Ha-Seong Kim stepping in, the Braves' lineup had questions to answer.
Ozuna's struggles, particularly his declining power, suggest he might not have been the answer Atlanta needed at DH. His 2025 performance took a hit, and even after a full offseason to recover from a hip injury, his spring numbers haven't inspired confidence. Over 46 plate appearances, his .646 OPS lagged behind even Ozzie Albies' career-low from last year.
For a player like Ozuna, whose game hinges on power, this decline is concerning. The Pirates are banking on him as their primary DH, especially after the departure of fan favorite Andrew McCutchen, which adds even more pressure on Ozuna to perform.
From the Braves' perspective, the DH role now seems more adaptable. With Kim and Sean Murphy returning, Atlanta has the flexibility to rotate players based on matchups, maintaining a balanced offense without relying on a single power hitter.
This versatility not only eases the reliance on a one-dimensional player but also underscores why moving on from Ozuna might have been the right call for Atlanta in the long run.