The Big Bear is back: Ozuna hits 3-run HR

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Just a few days removed from his manager predicting an impending hot streak, Marcell Ozuna looks to be getting much more comfortable with his powerful swing.

Ozuna seemed to unleash some early spring frustrations with the three-run homer he hit in a 5-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon. His third-inning blast off right-hander Tanner Houck easily cleared JetBlue Park’s tall left-field wall.

“He just got done [playing] three [games] in a row and he swung the bat a lot better by doing that,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “After [Thursday’s] off-day, he’s going to start playing a little more too.”

Through his first 10 games, Ozuna has gone 4-for-19 with one double, one homer, four walks and nine strikeouts. Both of those extra-base hits were tallied over the past two days.

Once Ozuna returns to the Braves lineup on Friday, he’ll have nearly two weeks to make his final preparations. The veteran outfielder hit a National League-best 18 homers in 2020 before signing a four-year, $65 million deal with Atlanta in February.

Freeman too
Freddie Freeman hasn’t felt comfortable with his swing during the first couple weeks of Spring Training. So he made Tuesday's trip to Fort Myers just to give himself a chance to play three straight days for the first time this year.

Freeman drew a pair of walks in three plate appearances on Tuesday. The reigning National League MVP Award winner is 3-for-15 with no extra-base hits, four strikeouts and five walks. Freeman went 2-for-6 with three walks over the past three days.

“I wish Freddie would have got a few more strikes,” Snitker said. “I don’t know if he had a pitch to hit the first at-bat. He’s trying to get timing. It’s hard to do that when you’re walking.”

Results aren’t everything
Cristian Pache showed off his rocket arm when he threw a runner out at the plate in Monday’s win over the Twins. But the Braves top prospect has gone 2-for-15 with two walks and four strikeouts thus far.

Given that the concerns about Pache’s readiness are focused only on his offensive development, this does seemingly give reason to wonder if he should open the season as Atlanta’s center fielder. But Snitker has been encouraged by the young outfielder’s plate appearances.

“I like where he’s at offensively,” Snitker said. “He’s another one I’m going to try to get him in there two, three or four days in a row to get him some at-bats. I’ve liked his swings in batting practice and I’ve liked how he has driven the ball the other way. I like some of the takes and walks he has taken. I like the maturity I’ve seen out of him this spring.”

Up next
Charlie Morton will take the mound when the Braves travel to play the Orioles on Wednesday night. Austin Riley has cleared COVID-19 protocols and will return to Atlanta’s lineup for the first time since Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET and will be available on MLB Gameday Audio.