Atlanta Braves' Star Diagnosed with Irritation in Ailing Knee, Still Expected to Be Ready For Opening Day
On Friday, Atlanta Braves' star Ronald Acuna Jr. was scratched from the team's lineup because of soreness in his surgically-repaired right knee. While the team didn't think it was serious, he underwent an MRI, and the results came back Friday night.
Acuna has been diagnosed with irritation in the knee, and while they still don't think it's serious, he's going to undergo further testing.
Per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Ronald Acuña Jr. was examined last night. They recommend an MRI. It showed irritation in the right meniscus. Plan now is to see a doctor in LA. Braves expect him to be ready for opening day.
It's obviously good that the team still expects him to be ready for Opening Day, but given that Acuna Jr. has torn the ACL in that knee before, you can't help but be a little worried.
Furthermore, running is a huge part of Acuna Jr.'s game, so he needs his legs fully healthy.
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 after tearing his ACL.
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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