Miami Marlins place Christian Yelich on disabled list

Marcell Ozuna is headed back to Miami. The Marlins recalled Ozuna from Triple-A New Orleans and placed Christian Yelich on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion, the club announced on Saturday.

Ozuna, 24, was optioned to New Orleans on July 5 after he recorded just one hit in his previous 37 at-bats. The Marlins wanted Ozuna to work on his mechanics and he responded, posting a .317/.379/.558 average to complement five home runs and 11 RBIs over 33 games. Ozuna might have returned sooner if he did not briefly sit out with a wrist injury.

Before being sent down, Ozuna was bating .249 and posted just 26 RBIs over 79 games. Ozuna thrived last season with the Marlins and is expected to be Miami's starting center fielder moving forward. Since Ozuna was optioned, Ichiro Suzuki and Cole Gillespie have seen time in the outfield.

Yelich consistently appeared in center field in Ozuna's absence. He injured his knee last Sunday in Atlanta trying to rob Jonny Gomes of a home run. He was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday and was initially listed as day-day. Over 92 games, he is batting .275 to complement six home runs and 29 RBIs.