Marcell Ozuna, whom Pittsburgh signed last February to a one-year, $12 million contract, was released by the team Wednesday it looks to keep pace in a challenging NL Wild Card race. Pittsburgh is 3 1/2 back of the last Wild Card spot, with the Marlins and Padres also chasing the Cubs, Phillies and Diamondbacks, in that respective order. Marcell Ozuna was cut by the Pirates on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ozuna has struggled and is limited to only designated hitter duties. Ozuna, known as a power hitter who produced multiple 100-plus-RBI seasons as recently as 2024 with the Braves, has eight home runs in 251 at-bats this season while hitting a paltry .203.