After suffering a torn right ACL in July, Ronald Acuna Jr. hopes that he’ll be able to return to the Braves lineup by May, ESPN’s Marly Rivera reports (Twitter link). Acuna has been rehabbing in his native Venezuela, and for a glimpse at his progress, Rivera includes a video of Acuna taking one-handed swings during a light indoor batting practice session.
A 10-month recovery timeframe isn’t uncommon for such a severe ACL injury, though it seems as though Acuna’s timeline is still fluid. Naturally, both Acuna and the Braves aren’t going to take any unnecessary risks in trying to rush the superstar back to the field before he’s absolutely ready, even if that May projection stretches into June or beyond. More could be known once Acuna arrives at Atlanta’s spring camp, and manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) today that “I know the reports are really good….I guess he’s worked his rear off.”
Acuna was on his way to perhaps his finest season yet at the time of his injury, as he hit .283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs over 360 plate appearances. The Braves’ response to Acuna’s injury has already become the stuff of legend, as rather than throw in the towel after losing their superstar, the Braves instead stocked up on outfielders (Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler, and Joc Pederson) who all hit well down the stretch, carrying Atlanta to its first World Series title since 1995.
While last season’s run was magical, there is no doubt that the Braves will be better off with Acuna back in the fold. Duvall, Marcell Ozuna, Cristian Pache, Drew Waters, Guillermo Heredia, and Travis Demeritte comprise Atlanta’s top outfield options at the moment, so the team could try to make do with this group until Acuna is back, or perhaps look for more outfield help prior to Opening Day.
My condolences to the NL East
Orangeman2O24#builditback
Acuna to return when the braves resign freddie freeman before the dodgers sign freeman
Freeman isn’t coming back. Dodgers will get him. Home cooking.
What? No love for Michael Harris?
He’s a year away.
Sure, he had a .798 OPS in High-A. Let’s go ahead and slot him in as the opening day right fielder.
Just wait. He is ready.
Anybody working tonight at traderumors?
No we are not here.
We are playing Putt Putt with Derek Jeter, he has not had much to do these last few weeks. He promised to dive over the Putt Putt railing if we went!
Ozuna, assuming he’s coming back to the Braves, would serve as the DH. They would need to bring in more outfielders unless they plan on opening the season with Pache and Heredia as their starting outfield alongside Duvall. One or the other might be fine, but not both.
They have Orlando Arcia as well. He played out there last year and acquitted himself well, the plate – not so much
Sign Freeman. Sign Conforto. Get ready to repeat (add an RP at the deadline)
Those ACL’s are tough. We’ll see if he’s the same 40/40 threat when he’s back. Either way, he’s one of the top talents in the sport and I hope to see him back doing his thing.
He’s done w/ the 40/40 thing. They unplugged that cord last year well before he got hurt. They’re going to do everything they can to keep him from getting into compromising situations. That’s why done with center field.
Scary looking team assuming Freddie or Olson are at 1B.
his tendon will be fine and was good or better than new. it’s a very difficult thing mentally to trust the knee again. even though healed completely at like 6 months, it will still be sore and require continuous daily treatment to make sure scar tissue does not form.
Acuña
Matata
Hopefully he’s not getting his medical treatment from the same people that are treating Mike Soroka or we will not see Acuna come back with all 5 of those tools that we remember.
he said tool!
Don’t need him trying to score from 1st on a batted ball up the middle, or stealing 40 bags. 20 steals and 40 bombs 100 plus runs scored is enough. Need a 3 hole hitter to drive him in though. Kinda like that guy that wears # 5. Get it done AA!
Bench?
If Freddie comes back he will hit in 2 spot
If he returning in May to the Yankees?
per sources on late Friday Rosenthal said Freeman will make his decision in 24 hours here it is late Sunday and still nothing. everyone making trades signing people and Atlanta is not doing nothing.
That is how atlanta does business though. You wont hear a lot about their moves until they are done. They lost ken griffey jr when a reporter made a deal public that griffey had not yet signed, Griffey was upset and backed out of the deal. Since then atlanta has kept their moves as quiet as possible.
10 months seems really long. I had completely shredded my right ACL as a hockey goalie. I had a complete reconstruction using a patellar graft from my own knee. This is the one with the longest recovery. I was back playing semi pro competitive hockey in 6 months. it’s all how you heal and how hard you work. he’s young, but the rehab is pure hell.
Thanks doc
The Status of EDDIE ROSARIO,JOC PEDERSON & JORGE SOLER Have they signed with Any Team?