Marcell Ozuna Struggles Early With Pirates, Braves Move On Without Missing a Beat…

Atlanta, GA / Pittsburgh, PA — The former Atlanta Braves All-Star, Marcell Ozuna, has struggled early in the 2026 season with his new team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, raising questions about the impact of Atlanta’s decision to let him walk during the offseason. Despite his slow start, the Braves appear unfazed, proving that moving on from Ozuna may have been the right decision.

Ozuna’s Early Struggles

In just 31 plate appearances with Pittsburgh, Ozuna is hitting 2-for-27 (.074) with four walks and eight strikeouts. The sluggish start has resulted in a -0.5 WAR and an OPS+ of -18, numbers that underscore how ineffective the veteran slugger has been at the plate. Every time he steps up, the fans at PNC Park have expressed their frustration, leaving Ozuna under mounting pressure to turn things around.

The early-season slump is particularly striking given Ozuna’s reputation as a consistent power threat during his years with the Braves. While slumps are common, especially in small sample sizes at the start of the season, the degree of Ozuna’s struggles is noteworthy.

The Braves’ Perspective

For Atlanta, the decision to move on from Ozuna seems less consequential than it might have appeared at first. Even if the Braves had re-signed him, he may not have produced the kind of offensive output they expected, given his decline in 2025 due to nagging injuries.

Ozuna’s last season with Atlanta saw him battling a hip injury, which limited his effectiveness and caused a significant drop in performance. Over 145 games, he batted .232 with a .756 OPS, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 68 RBIs. While still respectable, these numbers represented a clear decline from his peak seasons, including his 2024 All-Star campaign where he finished fourth in MVP voting.

The Braves’ front office, aware of his injury concerns and declining performance, decided to move forward with younger and healthier options. During the Winter Meetings, manager Walt Weiss indicated that bringing Ozuna back hadn’t been ruled out, but the team ultimately opted to fill the roster void with Mike Yastremski and rely on other contributors like veteran Dominic Smith.

Pittsburgh’s Gamble

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, signed Ozuna to a one-year deal for $10.5 million, with a mutual option for 2027 worth $16 million and a $1.5 million buyout. The move represented a calculated risk for the Pirates, who hoped to add a veteran power bat to complement their lineup. However, the early returns have been underwhelming, leaving the team and fans questioning whether Ozuna can provide consistent production this season.

Historically, Ozuna has been capable of surging during stretches of the season. In Atlanta, he hit 20-plus home runs each year from 2022 through 2025, with peak numbers in 2023 and 2024, when he hit 40 and 39 home runs, respectively. His combination of power and ability to drive in runs made him one of the most feared designated hitters in the National League.

However, Ozuna’s early-season struggles are a reminder of the slump-prone nature of some power hitters. During the 2025 season, he batted just .181 in June and July, posting a .615 OPS over that period. Despite surges at other points, these stretches of low productivity contributed to Atlanta’s decision to let him walk rather than offer a new contract.

Veto Rights and Trade Speculation

During his final months with the Braves, Ozuna reportedly used his no-trade clause to remain in Atlanta despite offers from other teams. While speculation surrounded whether he might waive that clause for a trade, the Braves claim there wasn’t the right offer. This decision ultimately allowed the team to move forward with younger options without risking the stability of the roster.

The combination of injuries, dips in performance, and trade clause dynamics meant Atlanta had little incentive to re-sign Ozuna, even though he remained a fan favorite and one of the league’s premier power hitters in his prime.

Filling the Gap

The Braves have not missed a beat offensively without Ozuna. Mike Yastremski and Dominic Smith have stepped into the lineup, providing production and consistency that the team needs to maintain its competitive edge. While Ozuna’s presence would have been a bonus, Atlanta has demonstrated that the team is not reliant on one individual to succeed.

This early-season flexibility allows the Braves to allocate resources elsewhere, whether for pitching, defense, or developing younger hitters, rather than relying on a veteran coming off injury.

Looking Ahead for Ozuna and the Pirates

For Ozuna, the key will be how he adjusts to Pittsburgh and whether he can overcome the early struggles. A veteran hitter of his caliber has the tools to bounce back, but he will need to regain confidence and timing at the plate to validate the Pirates’ investment.

If Ozuna struggles through the first month or two, Pittsburgh may have to reassess their strategy, potentially relying on other hitters to carry the offensive load or making midseason adjustments to protect the lineup. Meanwhile, Atlanta can breathe easier knowing that the decision to move on from him hasn’t negatively impacted their early-season success.

Conclusion

Marcell Ozuna’s early-season struggles with the Pirates highlight the risks of relying on veteran hitters, especially those coming off injuries or a decline in production. For the Braves, letting him walk appears justified, as replacements and complementary players have filled the gap effectively.

Pittsburgh, however, now faces a test: will Ozuna regain his form and provide the power and consistency they anticipated? Fans will be watching closely, knowing that the team’s investment carries both financial and strategic implications. Early indications suggest that while Atlanta is thriving without him, Ozuna still has work to do to prove he can thrive in a new environment.