Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning National League MVP, is anticipated to be fully prepared for opening day with the Atlanta Braves following a thorough examination of his troublesome right knee, which revealed no significant issues.
Acuña departed the Braves’ spring training facility in Florida to undergo evaluation by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday evening.
Following the examination, the team announced on Tuesday that ElAttrache identified only irritation in the meniscus of Acuña’s right knee. Consequently, Acuña will gradually ramp up his baseball activities and is projected to receive clearance to participate by the time the Braves kick off the regular season against Philadelphia on March 28.
Acuña’s remarkable 2023 season, where he became the first player in MLB history to achieve 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases, culminated in him unanimously earning the NL MVP title. He boasted impressive statistics, hitting .337 with 41 homers, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases, guiding Atlanta to its sixth consecutive NL East title.
The discomfort in Acuña’s knee arose last Thursday during an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he was involved in a rundown between second and third base. Although he initially continued playing for two more innings, he later exited the game due to ongoing discomfort.
While Acuña participated in batting practice the following day, the Braves opted to take precautions when pain persisted in the same knee that had suffered a season-ending injury in 2021.
As a preventive measure, the Braves sought consultation with the renowned California surgeon who had previously repaired Acuña’s knee after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in 2021.
ElAttrache’s confirmation of no structural damage brings a sense of relief to the Braves as they embark on another season filled with high expectations.
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