Pirates release 3-time All-Star amid playoff push

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Pirates release 3-time All-Star amid playoff push

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 12:25 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are aiming for a National League Wild Card spot, but Marcell Ozuna won’t be a part of the push.

On Wednesday, the Pirates called up utilityman Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis, and Ozuna was released as the corresponding move.

Marcell Ozuna will be released today as the corresponding move, per source.@mikedeportes was first to report. https://t.co/LrAmwLZPjj
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) August 5, 2026

Ozuna made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2013, and he also spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves before joining the Pirates prior to the 2026 season.

Ozuna has been named an All-Star three times, with the most recent one coming in 2024 with the Braves, which is the same season he finished fourth in the NL MVP voting.

This season hasn’t been great for Ozuna, as he is hitting just .203 with 8 home runs and 29 RBIs in 70 games for Pittsburgh. He might still provide some value to contending teams searching for a depth bat, and the San Diego Padres had been interested in Ozuna previously.

The Pirates are currently 3.5 games back of an NL Wild Card spot, and they did make some moves at the deadline, including acquiring relief pitcher Camilo Doval in a deal with the New York Yankees.

It will be worth watching to see if another team snags Ozuna.

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