Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna hadn’t been in the lineup since Aug. 14 amid struggles at the plate and glaring defensive limitations this season. And his place with the defending champions was brought into more question when he was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.
On Sunday, Ozuna was back in the lineup for the Braves, and he was not greeted kindly by the home crowd at Truist Park.
Ozuna was loudly booed before and after a second-inning at-bat that ended in a strikeout as fans have clearly lost their patience with the player who was placed on administrative leave last year and suspended 20 games for a domestic-violence arrest.
Ozuna strikes out.
He got booed.#ForTheA #TheAtlantaVoice pic.twitter.com/dANMQ6LTqP— The Atlanta Voice (@theatlantavoice) August 21, 2022
After the arrest, the Braves issued this statement:
“The Atlanta Braves are aware of Marcell Ozuna’s arrest this morning and are still gathering all the facts pertaining to the incident. Our organization takes these matters very seriously and are obviously disappointed by the situation. As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment until the process is complete.”
And in terms of the team’s options with handling Ozuna, the Braves would still owe Ozuna $41 million if they were to release him. Their willingness to put him back in the lineup on Sunday suggests that they’re stuck moving forward with Ozuna for at least the immediate future.
Still, baseball fans weren’t exactly disappointed to see Ozuna booed at his home ballpark. He honestly should not have been playing.
This was how Twitter reacted
Why is he still in a Braves uniform!!!?? #ForTheA https://t.co/paopy8hXUc
— Brandon T. Dearth (@DearthT88) August 21, 2022
I will not be defending the organization for playing him today. I highly encourage everyone to give them as much criticism as possible. https://t.co/YCDCeUTMAT
— Dansby Dominance (@unlikelydarling) August 21, 2022
This must be what Ozuna was seeing at the plate: https://t.co/XIdB9Faqsl pic.twitter.com/JuBcHq85zW
— hayden whitis (@hswhitis11) August 21, 2022
Why is he playing? https://t.co/1G8zqbqWb3
— K.J. Peta (@RealKJP) August 21, 2022
Please release him immediately, go after him for the cash you owe him and cut ties. Can’t have his character issues ruining the locker room. @Braves https://t.co/K6VmeJ4SkK
— Ryan East (@ryaneast80) August 21, 2022
Should‘be booed him the entire AB https://t.co/I91ehUEdGT
— Roy Donk (@Showtimexoxo) August 21, 2022
https://t.co/f6sIfVbUIT pic.twitter.com/ojoeeaxymc
— do yo dance AB! 🕺🏾 (@himynameis_shay) August 21, 2022
https://t.co/kbuYfVumGZ pic.twitter.com/F4zO4ZtRKY
— #ForTheLoveofGod 😒 (@betogmartinez14) August 21, 2022
He deserves it!!! https://t.co/zGxacI4LeN
— Jeremy Blackwood (@J_black75) August 21, 2022
This can’t continue for much longer — at least it shouldn’t.
