For the first time this season Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker made drastic changes to the team's lineup. This is the first time these alterations have been made without an injury or needed rest forcing the veteran's hand. One of the biggest changes was putting both Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin into the starting lineup. This is a long overdue move with veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna in the midst of an incredibly cold streak. It is fair to question how much of the veteran's struggles are due to a hip injury the hitter is playing through this season. Perhaps it is time to find the root of the issue if this is what Ozuna is going to be moving forward.
While the Braves hitter is a popular figure among the fan base this level of production simply can't stand. As Atlanta continues to free-fall through the National League standings, it is time for Ozuna and the Braves to make a decision. If the veteran wants to continue to play through the injury, Atlanta needs to give Ozuna a chance to make his sacrifice count.
The Braves Need to Turn the Page on Marcell Ozuna
Playing through an injury for a team that is far from relevant isn't wise for a player poised for free agency. It is time for the Braves to either protect Ozuna from himself putting the hitter on the IL or move on. How much the hip is playing into the recent struggles is hard to decipher based on the limited information Ozuna and the team has offered.
However, there is no denying that the slugger's recent struggles at the plate have completely changed his value. When Ozuna isn't hitting for power or getting on base consistently there simply isn't a reason to continue to plug him into the lineup. Carrying no defensive value and very little footspeed Ozuna is on the roster simply for the expected offensive output. With this ability now in question the Braves need to decide either to put the veteran on the injured list or opt to trade him to a contender.
While neither of these options are horribly appealing to Atlanta fans this is what the season has been reduced to. How much Ozuna has meant to this organization over the past two seasons demands that the team make the tough decision. This means either protecting the hitter from himself by moving him to the IL or giving him a chance for a fresh start with a team that has realistic hopes of contention.