Atlanta Braves News: Marcell Ozuna’s Two-Hours Night, Draft Mocks, and More

The Atlanta Braves snapped a two-game losing streak after a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday.

Marcell Ozuna’s two home runs were the highlight of the night, giving him 26 home runs this year, along with a NL-best 77 RBIs. He now has more RBIs heading into the All-Star break than any Atlanta-era Braves player.

Things went well on the other side of the ball as well, as Spencer Schwellenbach went seven innings with one run to earn his third win of the year.

Next up, the Braves will face Dylan Cease as the series continues tonight at 7:15 p.m. ET.

More Braves news:

The mock draft season continues, and Fangraphs and MLB Pipeline both have Braylon Doughty projected to the Braves. ESPN and Baseball America have gone a different route, projecting right-hander Brody Brecht to Atlanta.

Our 2024 MLB Draft preview series continues with the outfielders.

Marcell Ozuna’s rise and Sean Murphy’s production are the highlights of the Arizona-split series.

Luis De Avila had 11 strikeouts for the Mississippi Braves on Thursday. More in the minor league recap.

The latest episode of Battery Power TV tackles the questions the Braves have ahead of the All-Star break.

MLB News:

The San Diego Padres reinstated shortstop Xander Bogaerts ahead of Friday night’s game. The 31-year-old has been out since late May with a broken shoulder.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday, is not expected to return until at least September due to an elbow strain.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reinstate left-hander Marco Gonzales from the injured list after suffering a forearm strain. The Pirates acquired Gonzales from Atlanta in the offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies have released veteran Whit Merrifield, who joined the team in the offseason on a one-year, $8 million contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes will start the National League All-Star Game. Skenes was selected first overall in the 2023 draft.

The Washington Nationals have placed third baseman Nick Senzel on the waiver list after he was designated for assignment last Saturday.