One of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s goals for the 2024 Major League season that is about to begin is to stay away from injuries. to try to repeat or surpass what was achieved during the last campaign in which he crowned a historic performance by winning the National League MVP award for the first time.
However, this Friday the alarms began to ring in the Atlanta Braves that They decided to remove the Venezuelan outfielder from the lineup at the last minute for the game against the Baltimore Orioles. corresponding to the Grapefruit League that will be played this Friday at CoolToday Park located in Florida where they are holding Spring Training.
According to a report from MLB.com, it was learned that the decision of the Atlanta team was made as a precaution. after Ronald Acuña Jr. had some discomfort in his right kneeprecisely the same area that was injured in 2021 and that kept him off the playing fields for a good part of that campaign.
The Venezuelan star was positioned as a right fielder and first in the batting order of the Atlanta ninth, which has a record of three wins and an equal number of losses in these spring training with a view to the start of the 2024 Major League season on next March 20.
The decision made by manager Brian Snitker was surprising after the 26-year-old player carried out his corresponding batting practice prior to the game against the Orioles without showing any signs of physical discomfort.
So far this Spring Training, the man born in La Sabana has not had outstanding production, connecting with just one hit in seven at-bats in the three games he has played so far with the Atlanta Braves. Additionally, Ronald Acuña Jr. has driven in a run.
It must be remembered that Ronald Acuña Jr. is coming off an impressive 2023 in which He became the first player in Major League history to hit 40 or more home runs (41) and steal 70 or more bases (73) in the same season. In addition, he had a high offensive average of .337 with 106 RBIs.
However, the Venezuelan star turns the page on last season and aims for much more ahead of 2024, which will be his seventh season in the Majors since he debuted with the Atlanta Braves in 2018.
“This is a new year. It’s a new season, so I will continue working and focusing on this opportunity to go further and do things better than last season.”the Venezuelan recently commented.
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