MIAMI (AP) β Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna has been scratched from the starting lineup for their game against Tampa Bay after he was late for batting practice.
Ichiro Suzuki replaced Ozuna on Sunday and was set to make his first start for the Marlins.
Manager Mike Redmond declined to give a reason for Ozuna’s tardiness but was unhappy about it.
Redmond says that “we’re trying to win a series, and he owes it to his teammates to be here to prepare himself.”
Asked if Ozuna’s punishment would be for one game, Redmond said, “We’ll see.”
Ozuna began the day batting .263 for the Marlins, who struggled offensively in the season’s first week and were off to a 1-4 start.
