Pirates acknowledge whiff in free agency with Marcell Ozuna's release

Pittsburgh has lost four consecutive series dating back to a three-game set against the New York Yankees (64-50) from Jul. 20-22, also dropping series to the Chicago Cubs (65-49), Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds (54-58). It's split the first two games of a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers (70-43) that concludes Thursday.

The Pirates have a 5-10 record during the stretch, and their .219 team batting average is only better than the Yankees, who have hit an abysmal .205 over their last 15 games following Tuesday. (h/t FanGraphs)

Pressure is on the offense to deliver after the Pirates made several moves to bolster the pitching staff at this year's trade deadline, acquiring relievers Lake Bachar (3.84 ERA), Camilo Doval (4.54 ERA), Luke Weaver (1.84 ERA) and Kirby Yates (3.81 ERA) in separate transactions.

Pittsburgh is banged up with outfielders Oneil Cruz and Ryan O'Hearn and shortstop Konnor Griffin on the injured list. 

Griffin, hitting .276 as a rookie, tore a tendon in his left ring finger on July 5, landing on the injured list with a recovery timeline of 8-10 weeks putting him on track for an early-September return. O'Hearn (quad) will be out 6-8 weeks after suffering a strain on July 31, which could have him back in the lineup for the closing stretch of the regular season.

The outlook is more promising for Cruz (hand), retroactively placed on the 60-day injured list in early July after suffering a fracture on June 7. He was cleared to resume baseball activities on July 29, opening the door for a return this month.

First baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) also recently returned and is still shaking off rust, going 1-for-12 at the plate in his first three games back. A career .269 hitter, the four-year pro should eventually catch up to speed.

Cruz's looming comeback — plus Simon's potential production — could be vital to the Pirates breaking out of their slump at the plate and remaining in the playoff chase by the time Griffin and O'Hearn return, particularly with breakout rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez mired in a slump. From June 19-July 19, few batters were hotter, with Valdez slashing .370/.435/.852 with 10 home runs in 22 games. It's been a different story in the two weeks since as he's hit .133 with two home runs in the 15-game span.

With Ozuna failing to deliver on his contract, Pittsburgh was left no option but to cut ties and give those plate appearances to someone else. Releasing him isn't a magic wand, but it's a start.