Will Marcell Ozuna be suspended for hitting Will Smith? Atlanta Braves slugger catches LA Dodgers catcher with dangerous backswing

Atlanta Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna found himself in the middle of a heated situation during May 22 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the fourth inning, Ozuna accidentally hit Dodgers catcher Will Smith with his backswing, leading to a confrontation between the two teams.

The MLB will likely review the incident to determine if any disciplinary action is necessary. While Ozuna may not face a suspension for this particular incident, it serves as a reminder for players to be mindful of their swings and take precautions to avoid injuring others.

Marcell Ozuna stepped up to the plate with a 1-1 count and hit a fly ball to left field, but his swing struck Smith on the side of the head. Smith immediately reacted, standing up and confronting Ozuna about the incident. In a video that quickly circulated on social media, Smith can be seen expressing his frustration and informing Ozuna that this wasn't the first time he had been hit by his swing.

After the game, Smith spoke about the incident, mentioning that he had experienced a concussion from a similar incident in the past. He expressed his anger at Ozuna, stating that there comes a point where he needed to address the issue. Smith emphasized that while he understood it wasn't intentional, repeated occurrences of such incidents should have prompted Ozuna to make adjustments.

The altercation did not escalate further, and both teams returned to play. The Dodgers eventually rallied from a 0-4 deficit to win the game 8-6, with Freddie Freeman hitting a three-run home run.

The Dodgers rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win the game 8-6.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Marcell Ozuna's backswing has caused such a situation. Smith's frustration likely stemmed from his previous experience with Ozuna's swing, which resulted in a concussion and forced him to miss over two weeks of play.

Was Marcell Ozuna’s backswing intentional?

While Marcell Ozuna's actions were likely unintentional, the incident highlights the potential danger posed by a powerful backswing. Catchers are particularly vulnerable to such situations as they are positioned directly behind the batter.

Marcell Ozuna may not face a suspension for the incident.

As for Will Smith, his willingness to stand up for himself and address the issue demonstrates his commitment to player safety and his role as a catcher. The Dodgers rely heavily on Smith's presence in the lineup, as their record clearly indicates his impact on the team's success.

It remains to be seen how the incident will affect the relationship between the two players moving forward, but player safety should always be a priority on the baseball field.