AP says the Pirates plan to release Marcell Ozuna and call up Ronny Simon.
Why it matters: It would end Pittsburgh's one-year bet on Ozuna and open a spot for a younger, in-house option. The move signals a reset after the club added Ozuna as a veteran power bat last offseason.
- AP reported Aug. 5, 2026, that Pittsburgh planned to release designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
- Ronny Simon is expected to take the roster spot, according to the AP report.
- The Pirates signed Ozuna to a one-year 2026 deal with a mutual option for 2027.
- MLB.com identified Simon as a promotion candidate and said he hit .342 with a .937 OPS in 39 Triple-A games in 2026.
The Pirates are set to move on from Marcell Ozuna, according to an AP report that said Pittsburgh planned to release the designated hitter and bring up Ronny Simon.
The decision would reverse a notable offseason addition. Pittsburgh signed Ozuna to a one-year 2026 contract with a mutual option for 2027, saying at the time the club had added "a much-needed right-handed power bat for the middle of their order" in its team release.
Simon has already been in the Pirates' organization. MLB.com says Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers on June 2, 2025, and his player page shows he was activated from the 60-day injured list on Nov. 6, 2025.
In a May 2026 feature, MLB.com pointed to Simon as a possible promotion option, citing his strong Triple-A Indianapolis production and limited big-league track record. The feature said he hit .342 with a .937 OPS in 39 games at Triple-A and had 27 MLB games the season before, when he hit .234 with a .572 OPS before a shoulder injury ended that run.
MLB.com's Pirates transaction page is the official place to confirm the move once the club posts it.
By the numbers
- .342 - Simon's batting average in 39 Triple-A Indianapolis games in 2026, per MLB.com
- .937 OPS - Simon's Triple-A production in those 39 games, per MLB.com
- 1 year - Ozuna's Pirates contract length for the 2026 season, with a mutual 2027 option
Yes, but: The move was reported by AP, but the Pirates' official transaction log had not yet been updated in the available sources.
What's next: The Pirates' official transaction page should reflect the move once the club posts it.