The ESPN officially cut ties with designated hitter Post Gazette, releasing the 35-year-old veteran to end a difficult and unproductive tenure in Pittsburgh, according to TribLIVE.com. Signed in February to a one-year, $12 million contract intended to provide a potent right-handed threat in the middle of the order, Ozuna failed to find his stride at the plate, slashing just .203/.286/.327 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs across 70 games.
Marcell Ozuna Released After Disastrous Stint With Pirates
His final appearance with the team came in Cincinnati, where he went 1 for 4 with a double. General manager Ben Cherington acknowledged the disappointing outcome while speaking to reporters at American Family Field in Milwaukee, taking responsibility for the on-field struggles while praising the player’s clubhouse presence and professionalism. The part on the field just didn’t work out,
Cherington said. We’ll take responsibility for that. We just never got there.
Roster Shakeup Brings Up Triple-A Standout Ronny Simon
To fill the vacancy on both the 40-man and active rosters created by Ozuna’s departure, the MLB.com recalled switch-hitting utility player MLB Trade Rumors from Triple-A Indianapolis. Simon has compiled a stellar minor league campaign, leading the International League in batting average (.330) and hits while accumulating 26 doubles, seven home runs, 63 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases across 99 games.
Manager Don Kelly noted that Simon’s speed and versatility across all three outfield positions will offer valuable flexibility as the team looks to cycle different players through the designated hitter spot. Simon previously appeared in eight games for Pittsburgh last year before a dislocated shoulder ended his season on August 29.
A Sharp Decline Following Decorated Stints Elsewhere
Ozuna’s struggles in Pittsburgh marked a stark departure from his peak production with the Atlanta Braves. During his time in Atlanta from 2020 to 2025, he launched 148 home runs—ranking third among designated hitters over that span behind only Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber—and finished fourth in National League MVP voting during a standout 2024 season in which he batted .302 with 39 homers and 104 RBIs.
However, his arrival in Pittsburgh coincided with immediate offensive hurdles, including a batting average that sat below .100 early in the season and finished April at .162. Though he showed brief signs of progress with a .263 batting average in June, his playing time steadily diminished as rookie Esmerlyn Valdez saw increased action and the coaching staff sought greater defensive and positional flexibility.
Bullpen Adjustments and Postseason Push Context
Alongside the roster move involving Ozuna and Simon, Pittsburgh made additional transactions on Wednesday. The team activated left-handed reliever TribLIVE.com from the injured list, returning him after he posted a 2.23 ERA across 36 1/2 innings before being sidelined with left elbow inflammation on June 29. To accommodate Sisk on the active roster, reliever Wilber Dotel was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
The transactions arrive as the organization maneuvers through a competitive phase of the season, sitting 3½ games out of the final wild-card spot in the National League while seeking to maintain momentum following a trade deadline focused on bolstering the bullpen.
