Two weeks before opening day, on Thursday, National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. made his way back into the Atlanta Braves’ spring training lineup.
When facing the Tampa Bay Rays, Acuña batted first and took up the designated hitter position. Before being replaced by a pinch hitter, he had two strikeouts and was hitless in three at-bats.
After experiencing pain in his surgically repaired right knee following a rundown during a game against Minnesota on February 29, Acuña made his debut on the field. The Braves decided to take no chances and sent him to Los Angeles to be checked by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the chief physician of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had previously operated on Acuña following his season-ending knee injury in 2021.
ElAttrache discovered only inflammation in the meniscus of the knee, allowing Acuña to progressively ramp up his baseball workouts ahead of the regular season opener against Philadelphia on March 28.
Acuña’s performance on Thursday represented a substantial advancement in ensuring he doesn’t miss any important time in the games that matter. Getting some playing time at his usual position in right field will be the next stage.
Adam Duvall is a slugger, but the Braves gained another outfield option on Thursday in case they decide to be extra cautious with Acuña.
After an incredible season in which he hit 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases, Acuña became the first player in big league history to reach the 40–70 mark. As the Braves captured their sixth consecutive NL East championship, he was the clear favorite to win his first MVP award.
