Report: Marcel Ozuna To Return To Braves OF in 2022

It appears that Marcel Ozuna, who sat out most of the 2021 season for the Atlanta Braves after a domestic violence incident and injuries, is being welcomed back into the fold—at least by manager Brian Snitker. Interesting comments by Snitker that are no doubt raising a lot of eyebrows among Braves fans: 

Snitker’s response when asked about Ozuna. “Other people have done worse so we’ll just forget it happened” is not the mentality towards domestic violence I wanted to see from my favorite team. pic.twitter.com/RfetdhGTb1

— Austin Reach (@reach_baseball) February 3, 2022

"As far as I know right now, he's going to be there. He went through the process, and he's been cleared to play. That's all I care about," said Snitker. Hmm. 

I think Braves fans have to be somewhat disappointed with Brian Snitker's latest comment on Ozuna. Snitker says, "Ozuna has gone through the process and that's all I care about."

— L H C (@jimmy_cothren) February 6, 2022

He then talked about how Ozuna is putting up good numbers in the Dominican League this winter, and went on to add:

"There's a lot of guys who've played against us who've probably been in worse situations than he was."

Just for a refresher of his "situation", Ozuna was charged on May 29 with "aggravated assault by strangulation and battery after police officers said they witnessed him attacking his wife." He was immediately placed on administrative leave, and subsequently the injured list, and never played again last season.

It was only in November that Rob Manfred reviewed the case and headed out a retroactive 20-game suspension, that, in effect, has already been served, since it was for the final 20 games of the 2021 season. 

Ozuna still has 3 years and $48M left on his 4-year contract signed before last season. 

Photo Credits: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports