NORTH PORT, Fla. — Ronald Acuña Jr. exited his go to with Dr. Neal ElAttrache wanting ahead to being within the Braves’ Opening Day lineup.
ElAttrache confirmed Acuña’s latest proper knee discomfort was a product of irritation across the meniscus. The reigning Nationwide League MVP will progressively improve his baseball actions over this subsequent week and the Braves mentioned they anticipate him within the lineup for his or her March 28 common season opener in Philadelphia.
“I really feel nice,” Acuña mentioned, now not needing an interpreter. “I really feel like nothing occurred.”
Although he took a redeye flight and didn’t get again to Braves camp till early Tuesday morning, Acuña was in nice spirits. After taking batting apply, he messed with awaiting media members by limping towards them whereas utilizing his bat as a crutch.
Now that Acuña is again in camp, when may he start taking part in in video games once more?
“I really feel like I can play right now,” Acuña mentioned. “I can play every single day. However I’ve a boss. After they inform me I can play, I’ll play.”
So, what does the boss assume?
“When [head athletic trainer George Poulis] tells me he can play, I’ll put him in there,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned.
The Braves’ determination to have Acuña go to ElAttrache in California was only a precautionary step. The famed surgeon had surgically repaired this similar knee after the Braves proper fielder tore his anterior cruciate ligament in 2021. It simply made sense to have him verify there was no structural injury.
Acuña tweaked his knee whereas he was in a rundown between second and third base on Thursday in opposition to the Twins. He remained within the recreation for 2 extra innings and exited when most of the different Braves regulars did. He took batting apply on Friday and deliberate to play in opposition to the Orioles that afternoon.
However when he instructed the medical workers he was sore, the Braves despatched him for an MRI, which confirmed irritation across the meniscus.
Considerations about Acuña have been lessened on Saturday, when the Braves didn’t even ship a golf cart to move him from the gamers’ car parking zone to the clubhouse. He truly walked and not using a noticeable limp.
With Opening Day nonetheless three weeks away, the Braves have loads of time to ensure Acuña makes all obligatory preseason preparations.