Amid a disappointing 27–31 start that has the Braves sitting fourth in the NL East, Atlanta finds itself in the headlines again—but this time for reasons beyond the field. A surprising injury update from veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna has added to the team’s growing list of concerns. According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien, Ozuna has been quietly playing through a torn right hip, an issue that had not been previously disclosed.
Fans had noticed Ozuna being subbed out on the bases more frequently earlier in the season, despite his strong offensive performance. What seemed like standard load management now has a much more serious explanation. The 34-year-old revealed he’s been battling the injury for weeks.
“I’ve been kind of slow because I don’t want to rotate, because my hip is kind of shut down a little bit,” Ozuna said. “I had a tear (in the) right hip, so I just … keep battling. I’m trying to help my team. That’s the most important thing. I want to be in the lineup every single day, and do everything for my team.”
The revelation has raised questions about the Braves’ roster decisions and how the team is handling injuries. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that Ozuna will remain in the lineup but will need to manage the injury going forward. Remarkably, despite limited rest, Ozuna is still producing at a high level, hitting .284 with 10 home runs and a .901 OPS—numbers that place him among the league’s top designated hitters.
This situation could have implications beyond Marcell Ozuna’s day-to-day availability. With the veteran slugger in the final year of his contract, trade speculation is intensifying. If the Braves continue to slide in the standings, they may explore dealing Ozuna—even with the hip injury—in hopes of acquiring valuable prospects as part of a broader reset.
The delayed disclosure of Ozuna’s condition has sparked frustration among fans and analysts. Initially described as “minor inflammation,” the team only recently acknowledged the more serious diagnosis: a torn hip. The lack of transparency has become yet another black mark on a season already marred by setbacks. Jurickson Profar is serving a suspension, and Ronald Acuña Jr. only just returned on May 23 after nearly a year recovering from a torn ACL.
Although the Braves are still relying heavily on Ozuna’s production, his injury looms large over the team’s immediate future—and could shape their long-term strategy as the trade deadline approaches.
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