Marcell

Ozuna

The deal, which was first reported on Monday morning, is official now that the 35-year-old slugger has passed his physical. Ozuna will earn $10.5 million in 2025 and the deal includes a $16 million mutual option with a $1.5 million buyout for 2026. He should function as the Pirates’ regular designated hitter which will push Ryan O’Hearn to a corner outfield spot.

Jeff Passan of ESPN adds that the deal includes a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season with a $1.5 million buyout. The Pirates have been trying all winter to add thump to the middle of their lineup and despite missing out on some of the bigger names available, they have done a nice job overall. Ozuna joins Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn as offseason additions that should drastically improve the Pirates’ offensive outlook. The 35-year-old slugger had a down year offensively in 2025, slashing .232/.355/.400 with 21 homers, 68 RBI and a 144/94 K/BB ratio over 592 plate appearances with the Braves, but clobbered 79 home runs and drove in 204 runs over the previous two seasons.

The Pirates have enough defensive versatility with their current starting lineup that they could add a hitter who is mainly a DH. It would mean Ryan O’Hearn would play primary first base and also some left field, while Spencer Horwitz and Jake Mangum would also work in at those positions. The Pirates may not want one of those players to be moved out of the lineup, but they could certainly use Ozuna’s thump in the middle of their order.

Ozuna also drew a pair of walks. The 34-year-old has not been able to come close to matching his impressive numbers over the last two campaigns, but he is now up to 21 homers and 67 RBI over 142 games.

Incredibly, it’s Ozuna’s first three-hit game since May 22, though the fact that he’s walked 90 times does factor in there. Still, Ozuna had been slumping big-time of late. He had as many RBI today as he did in previous 27 games combined, and he still hasn’t homered since hitting his 20th on Aug. 13.

This was a grind-it-out game on both sides where runs were tough to come by. Ozuna scored each of the Braves runs after hitting his two doubles and is trying to get back into a groove after playing sporadically over the last few weeks.

The Sean Murphy injury cleared the way for Ozuna to finish the season as the Braves’ everyday DH, but he needs to hit. Alas, he’s at just .130/.250/.185 with two RBI in his last 18 games. The Braves have Jake Fraley in the outfield and Ronald Acuña Jr. DHing tonight.

Murphy will undergo surgery and is done for the year. Sandy León was called up to serve as Drake Baldwin’s backup. This should end the days of the Braves’ second catcher occasionally serving as a DH, so Marcell Ozuna will benefit.

It’s the third time in the last five games that the 34-year-old slugger has found himself back on the bench for the Braves. Ronald Acuna Jr. will serve as the team’s designated hitter on Sunday while Eli White will draw a start in right field and will bat sixth against Phillies’ left-hander Jesus Luzardo.

The team is giving Ronald Acuña Jr. a partial day off by using him at DH. Jake Fraley, who probably wishes he was picked up by another team, is making his first start (and appearance of any kind) since being claimed off waivers eight days ago.