ATLANTA — Marcell Ozuna wasn’t the explanation the Braves suffered a 4-2 loss to the Yankees on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park. However his presence within the designated hitter function was a reminder that Atlanta wasn’t using its optimum lineup simply two days after supervisor Brian Snitker stated the crew would accomplish that transferring ahead.
Because the Braves (43-55) sit 12 video games underneath .500, there’s seemingly little cause for them to give attention to something however the 2026 season and past. They’ll accomplish that by having Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin flip-flop between the catcher and DH spots on an on a regular basis foundation over the rest of the season. It will put together them for all times with out Ozuna, a free agent-to-be whose once-potent bat has been lifeless a lot of the season.
However simply three days after the All-Star break, Murphy sat in favor of Ozuna, who went hitless in 4 at-bats. As for Murphy, he singled in an eighth-inning pinch-hit at-bat.
“If [Ozuna] goes to be right here, he’s going to play now and again,” Snitker stated. “He had seen [Yankees starter Marcus] Stroman. Murphy hadn’t. [Ozuna] had a homer off Stroman. So it’s similar to the opposite day once I performed him towards [Erick Fedde] in St. Louis. He had had two homers towards him, and he hit one other one off him.
“If he’s going to be right here, he’s not going to rot.”
How lengthy Ozuna stays with Atlanta will depend upon when the Braves may be capable of get one thing of substance for the veteran slugger earlier than the July 31 Commerce Deadline.
“I don’t fear about that,” Ozuna stated. “My agent and the GM [Alex Anthopoulos] have that call.”
Ozuna’s agent would come into play as a result of Ozuna has earned commerce veto rights as somebody who has performed 10 years within the Majors and 5 seasons with the identical crew. However would the 34-year-old veteran need to stick round realizing he would probably sit on the bench over the ultimate two months earlier than hitting the free-agent market?
That’s a query that can must be answered as soon as the specifics of a attainable commerce are finalized. For now, Ozuna has to cope with the truth that he has turn into a bench participant. This was an unexpected growth only a few months in the past. That is the man who ranked ninth amongst all certified MLB gamers with a .916 OPS over 306 video games from 2023-24.
However Ozuna has produced MLB’s ninth-worst OPS (.562) over 38 video games going again to June 1.
“It’s exhausting, however we’re going to discover a approach to get it again,” Ozuna stated.
When Ozuna was coping with a proper hip ailment through the season’s first couple of months, his swing fee dropped considerably and his stroll fee rose. He had a .901 OPS as not too long ago as June 1. However his manufacturing has dipped as his hip has confirmed to be much less bothersome.
“It was my hip earlier within the season, however now I really feel improbable,” Ozuna stated. “I really feel wonderful with my physique. I simply misplaced my confidence on the plate, and I misplaced my timing.”
Ozuna’s observe report led the Braves to stay as affected person as they might with him, with the hope he would escape like he did after struggling mightily through the first month of the 2023 season. However Snitker on Friday stated he deliberate to have one in every of his two catchers, Murphy or Baldwin, fill the DH spot on a constant foundation.
“In the event that they’re going to maintain hitting, they’re going to maintain enjoying,” Snitker stated.
Murphy has homered as soon as each 12.9 at-bats whereas tallying 16 homers and an .847 OPS. And he has been one of many crew’s hottest gamers of late, with 5 homers and a 1.108 OPS by 46 plate appearances this month.
Baldwin and Murphy issue into the Braves’ future. If Atlanta has them share the catching and DH roles once more subsequent 12 months, it might use the $16 million it paid Ozuna this 12 months to fill one other roster want.
Whether or not taking a look at quick or long-term advantages, it is smart to proceed enjoying each Baldwin and Murphy every day, even when which means Ozuna goes to sit down whereas he stays with the Braves.
