Brave slugger Marcell Ozuna was booed by the Atlanta home crowd on Sunday in the veteran quarterback’s first appearance since Arrested on a driving under charge influence.
Ozuna was booked early on Friday and issued the bond later that morning. This is the second arrest in as many years for Ozuna, who was also arrested in May 2021 on aggravated assault by strangulation and battery life after police officers said they had witnessed him attack his wife. Those fees were dropped after he completed a pre-start diversion program.
Ozuna, the number 8 in Atlanta’s line-up against Houston Astros, was greeted with a round of boos at Truist Park ahead of his first game of the second half on Sunday. The boos were much louder after Ozuna struck against the Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy.
Ozuna was booed again after another attack against Urquidy in the fifth round. He was later elevated for assault Eddie Rosario and complete 0 for 2 in Braves’ 5-4 loss.
The game marks the first appearance since August 14 for Ozuna, who hasn’t played in the first six games of Atlanta’s seven-game house. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Friday that he spoke with Ozuna but did not provide details of their conversation. Snitker said he doesn’t know if Ozuna will face a suspension.
The Braves released a statement Friday after Ozuna’s arrest, saying “the organization takes these matters very seriously and is clearly disappointed in the situation” but declined to comment further, citing the situation. legal action is taking place. Ozuna did not respond to questions on Friday and issued a brief statement to reporters, saying he “frustrated my team” and “frustrated my family.”
Ozuna, 31, is in her third season in Atlanta and in the second year of a four-year, $65 million contract. He’s beaten 0.338 and leads the National League with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in 2020 but has dropped below 0.215 for two consecutive seasons.
Ozuna entered Sunday’s game .214 with 20 home throws and 46 RBIs this season – substandard production leading to a drop in playing time even before Friday’s arrest.
After his arrest in 2021, Ozuna was placed on administrative leave during an MLB investigation and missed Atlanta’s World Series championship. He was then suspended for 20 games under the domestic violence policy in November. The suspension went into effect September 10 and included the final 24 days of the 2021 regular season, for allowed him to return earlier this season.
Ozuna’s pre-diversion program, resulting in a reduction in prior fees, includes 3-6 months of supervision, a 24-week domestic violence intervention program, at least 200 hours of community service, and An anger management course.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
