Atlanta Braves Get Great Injury Update, Acuna Jr. Expected to Be Healthy For Opening Day
Update, 8:00 a.m. ET (3/5): The news on Acuna Jr. and his knee is positive, with the initial diagnosis being confirmed. He is still expected to be ready for Opening Day.
From the team on social media:
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was seen by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles last night, who confirmed irritation in the meniscus of his right knee. Acuña Jr. is set to gradually increase baseball activities and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
6:30 p.m. ET (3/4): The Atlanta Braves will reportedly provide an update on Ronald Acuna Jr. and his knee injury on Tuesday.
Per David O'Brien of 'The Athletic:'
#Braves will not have an update on Acuña until Tuesday, given the three-hour difference and timing of his his checkup today with surgeon in L.A.
It's been a tenuous few days for the Braves and Acuna Jr., so let's reset.
1) Acuna Jr. was scratched from a spring training game late last week with knee discomfort but the team wasn't really concerned.
2) Acuna Jr. was sent for testing in Los Angeles on Saturday but still wasn't really concerned.
3) Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Sunday that team officials were concerned, and that's where we're at now.
One of the best players in baseball, Acuna Jr. is just 26 years old. He is already a four-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger, a Rookie of the Year and an MVP winner. He also was part of the Braves' 2021 World Series roster, though he was unable to play for much of that year after tearing his ACL. That knee is the same one that's bothering him now.
Acuna Jr. is coming off one of the best seasons we've ever seen before, having hit .337 with 41 homers and 73 stolen bases. He also posted a .416 on-base percentage.
Lifetime, he's a .292 hitter with 161 homers and 180 stolen bases. He helped the Braves win the National League East for the second straight year in 2023, and they'll be favorites in the division in 2024.
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