Pirates release Marcell Ozuna as they chase a wild-card berth

Pittsburgh released Marcell Ozuna on Wednesday, ending a disappointing stretch that saw him hit.203 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs over 70 appearances. The veteran slugger had been brought in on a one-year, $12 million deal to add right-handed power to a left-leaning lineup, but his production never materialized. As rookie Esmerlyn Valdez earned more playing time, Ozuna’s role shrank, prompting the Pirates to promote Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Manager Don Kelly and GM Ben Cherington had defended Ozuna, citing underlying metrics, yet the team chose to move on amid a push for the National League’s third wild-card spot. The roster shuffle also saw left-handed reliever Evan Sisk activated and Wilber Dotel optioned to Triple-A. The decision comes after Pittsburgh bolstered its bullpen by acquiring Luke Weaver from the New York Mets.