Braves pick up Ozuna's $16M option, decline D'Arnaud's

Field Level Media|published: Mon 4th November, 14:42 2024

Oct 1, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) hits a single during the third inning in game one of the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves exercised designated hitter Marcell Ozuna's $16 million option for the 2025 season on Monday but declined to pick up catcher Travis D'Arnaud $8 million option, making him a free agent.

The Braves also declined their $7 million team option on right-hander Luke Jackson.

Ozuna, who turns 34 next week, was named a Silver Slugger finalist on Monday after batting .302 with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs, while not missing a game this season.

A three-time All-Star, Ozuna is a career .272 hitter with 275 homers, 880 RBIs and 1,514 hits in 1,469 games with the Miami Marlins (2013-17), St. Louis Cardinals (2018-19) and Braves.

D'Arnaud, 35, batted .251 and slugged 60 home runs in his five years with the Braves. He earned his only All-Star nod with the Braves in 2022.

Jackson, 33, went 4-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 52 relief appearances this past season, 16 of those with the Braves after they acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline in the swap that also brought Jorge Soler to Atlanta. The Braves traded Soler to the Los Angeles Angels last week.

Ozuna's option had a $1 million buyout while D'Arnaud's had none. Jackson had a $2 million buyout.

The Braves also announced they reinstated OF Ronald Acuna Jr., LHP Ray Kerr, LHP Angel Perdomo, RHP Spencer Strider and RHP Huascar Ynoa from the 60-day injured list.

--Field Level Media

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