Following another 0-for-3 performance in Sunday’s loss to the Cubs, the Marlins optioned outfielder Marcell Ozuna to Triple-A New Orleans. Ozuna was mired in a dreadful slump, going hitless in five consecutive games and in nine of his last 10 games.
It’s still a surprising move as Ozuna was their starting center fielder and has a still-salvageable .249/.301/.337 triple-slash line with four home runs and 26 RBI. Plus, it isn’t as if the Marlins have an obvious candidate to push into the outfield in Ozuna’s absence. Fourth outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has hit worse than Ozuna.
Justin Bour has been swinging a hot bat and the struggling Marlins likely want to keep his bat in the lineup. Michael Morse was activated from the disabled list and may see time in left field rather than at first base going forward.