Atlanta Braves manager said that Marcell Ozuna will start the season in the big leagues. There’s no guarantee he gets much playing time, however.
Leaving a player like Marcell Ozuna off the MLB roster is a good thought, but not based in reality. The Braves are paying Ozuna far too much money to stash him in the minors, or let him leave for virtually nothing.
However, that salary does not guarantee Ozuna playing time on a competitive team. These are the same Braves which won the World Series in 2021, and the NL East in 2022. They are among the favorites to win it all again this season.
When asked about Ozuna’s status on the team, Snitker didn’t commit to much more than the obvious:
“Marcell is gonna be on our team,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said, per the AJC. “I mean, just how much he plays is gonna be determined by how well he does.”
Will Marcell Ozuna start in left field for the Braves?
Left field and shortstop are two obvious unknowns for Atlanta. Nonetheless, Ozuna is the favorite to start in that outfield slot, despite the emergence of Eli White and Kevin Pillar. Ozuna’s seat is heating up, however, if he struggles early in the season. That is no secret, as Snitker just admitted that his playing time is far from guaranteed.
Ozuna is just two seasons removed from a 20-home run output in just 60 games. He was an NL MVP candidate. The last few years haven’t gone according to plan. Ozuna struggled, both on and off the field. He was arrested on domestic violence charges and for a DUI, leading to some Braves fans wanting him DFA’d.
Atlanta is committed to Ozuna through the 2024 season. They would prefer he turn his career and life around. So far, he hasn’t been able to achieve those goals.
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