Marcell Ozuna on Bench to Start Second Half
Marcell Ozuna will start the second half of the season on the bench in Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees. Sean Murphy is serving as the DH and is batting fifth, while rookie Drake Baldwin is doing the catching and hitting cleanup against Yankees right-handed opener Ian Hamilton. Ozuna has been out of Atlanta's lineup three times in the last four games as they look to give him a mental break at the midway point of the season. It's not ideal for one of the team's primary trade candidates on an expiring contract, but perhaps the Braves are hoping a little rest will get the 34-year-old veteran going in the weeks leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. Ozuna's power is down in 2025 and he's gone 5-for-31 (.161) with two long balls, a double, two RBI, two runs and five strikeouts in 10 games so far in July.
Source: MLB.com
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Source: MLB.com

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