Marcell Ozuna Responds to Booing Pirates Fans

The veteran slugger acknowledges his slow start and vows to keep grinding for the Pittsburgh faithful.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:06pm

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Marcell Ozuna, the Pittsburgh Pirates' new designated hitter, has struggled mightily to begin the 2026 MLB season, batting just .074 through his first 27 at-bats. After striking out in the sixth inning on Saturday, Ozuna was met with a chorus of boos from the PNC Park crowd as he walked back to the dugout. The 35-year-old veteran acknowledged the fans' frustration, saying he 'deserves to be booed' and promising to 'keep grinding' to turn things around.

Why it matters

Ozuna is a proven power hitter who the Pirates signed in the offseason to bolster their lineup. His slow start has been a disappointment for the team and its fans, who are eager to see the slugger find his groove and provide the offensive production they expect from him.

The details

Ozuna is just 2-for-27 to start the season, a far cry from his typical production. He has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Despite the early struggles, Ozuna remains confident that he will turn things around, saying 'as soon as I get the knocks, everything is going well now.' The Pirates did get a glimpse of that potential in the eighth inning on Saturday, when Ozuna recorded an infield single that sparked a late-game comeback.

  • On Saturday, April 5, 2026, Ozuna struck out in the sixth inning and was booed by Pirates fans.
  • Ozuna picked up his second hit of the season, an infield single, in the eighth inning on April 5, 2026.

The players

Marcell Ozuna

A 35-year-old veteran slugger who signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason. Ozuna has 296 career home runs but is off to a slow start in 2026, batting just .074 through his first 27 at-bats.

Nick Yorke

A Pirates player who came in as a pinch-runner for Ozuna in the eighth inning on April 5, 2026, and later delivered a walk-off RBI double in the ninth inning to help the team win.

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What they’re saying

“'It's not my first time being in that moment. I deserve to be booed. I don't mind. I'm going to keep grinding and do my best. As soon as I get the knocks, everything is going well now. I have the confidence, my teammates trust me and most of the fans trust me. They booed me because they need to see my show. So I have to give my show. This is the time, right now.'”

— Marcell Ozuna

What’s next

Ozuna is out of the lineup for the Pirates on Sunday, April 6, 2026, but the team is hoping he can turn things around soon and provide the offensive production they signed him for.

The takeaway

Ozuna's early-season struggles have frustrated Pirates fans, but the veteran slugger remains confident he can turn things around and deliver the power numbers the team is counting on from him. His willingness to acknowledge the fans' displeasure and vow to keep grinding could help him regain their trust if he can start producing at the plate.