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The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to release designated hitter Marcell Ozuna , per reports .
Ozuna was one of the franchise's free-agent signings last winter, but his play has not panned out over the course of this season.
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The veteran signed a one-year deal for $12 million with a mutual option for 2027. Ozuna has played in 70 games this year and is slashing just .203/.286/.327 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI.
The 35-year-old slugger started to decline in 2025, hitting just 21 home runs for the Atlanta Braves in 145 games, which led to the team not re-signing him. Pittsburgh took a boom-or-bust chance, hoping to add some pop to its lineup, but Ozuna ended up being a bust.
Ozuna has been in the big leagues since 2013, when he debuted with the Miami Marlins . After five years in Miami, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Sandy Alcantara , Magneuris Sierra , Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano .
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The slugger spent two years in St. Louis before signing with the Braves in 2020. He was part of the World Series-winning team in 2021 but missed the postseason due to off-the-field issues and being placed on administrative leave.
Ozuna is a three-time All-Star. He earned a Gold Glove in 2017 and was a recipient of the Silver Slugger Award in 2017 and 2020.
