Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider Not Expected To Be Ready By Opening Day
According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) are not expected to be ready by Opening Day. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said, "We're planning on not having them on the Opening Day roster. How soon after that, we'll see how that goes. And as we get closer and get into spring training, we'll probably be able to update." Fantasy managers should continue monitoring their progress during the offseason and Spring Training; they could potentially sit out significantly during the 2025 season. Acuna suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last May, while Spencer Strider underwent an internal brace procedure in April. During the 2023 season, Acuna captured the NL MVP by hitting a stellar .337/.416/.596 line with 41 home runs and 733 stolen bases. In the same season, Strider finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 281 punchouts across 186 2/3 innings of work. When healthy, both players are elite fantasy assets and would have been consensus first-round selections in all fantasy formats.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Not Guaranteed To Be Ready For Opening Day 2025
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that it's too early to know when outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will be back. Anthopoulos said it could be as soon as Opening Day or as late as early June, if for some reason he needs more time. Right now, there have been no setbacks or reason to think it would be on the longer end of that timetable. Acuna tore his left ACL in 2024 and needed surgery, so he's not a lock to be ready for Opening Day next season. The 26-year-old had surgery on his knee in early June. Despite the uncertain timetable for Acuna, by draft season early next year, fantasy managers should have a bit more clarity on when Acuna might be ready to go. The four-time All-Star won the National League MVP in 2023 and led the league in runs (149), hits (217), steals (73), on-base percentage (.416), OPS (1.012) and total bases (383). He'll still be a high-end fantasy option for his upside across all categories despite coming off a major injury.
Braves Planning For Ronald Acuna Jr. To Be Ready For Start Of Next Season
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) continues to rehab his torn ACL in Los Angeles, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Acuna's rehab is going well so far, and the Braves are planning for the former MVP to be ready around the start of next season. The 26-year-old had season-ending surgery to fix the torn ACL in his left knee and was eventually moved to the 60-day injured list. Acuna's loss for the Braves and fantasy managers in 2024 cannot be overstated after a record-breaking campaign in 2023 that saw him become the first play in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases. He led the league in plate appearances (735), runs (149), hits (217), steals (73), on-base percentage (.416), OPS (1.012) and total bases (383). As a result, Atlanta's offense has suffered after his injury this year, leading them to trade for Jorge Soler on Monday night.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) addressed the media on Thursday for the first time since suffering a season-ending ACL tear in his knee on Sunday. Acuna will go under the knife next Tuesday. "It's another opportunity. Who knows, maybe I can come back and win another MVP," Acuna said. Last year's National League MVP became the first player ever to hit 40-plus home runs and steal 70-plus stolen bases in an absolutely amazing 2023 campaign, but now the Braves and fantasy managers will be without him the rest of the way in 2024 after he tore the ACL in his other knee three years ago. The four-time All-Star and former NL Rookie of the Year can be dropped in all single-year fantasy leagues. In Acuna's absence, both Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall are in line for more playing time moving forward in Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) has officially been diagnosed with a complete ACL tear in his left knee. He is set to undergo surgery at some point in the future and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It is a devastating blow for Acuna, the Braves, and fantasy managers alike as it marks the second time he has torn his ACL in the past four seasons. The 26-year-old was in the midst of an inconsistent season as he was slashing .250/.351/.365 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases at the time of the injury. Nevertheless, he is still one of the brightest stars in all of baseball. Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall figure to see the bulk of the playing time that is now up for grabs.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Says He Is Heading To Injured List
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) told reporters that he will be heading to the injured list after suffering a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The injury did not look great from the start as Acuna fell down in pain after faking an attempt to steal third base. There is still no word on the severity of the injury or a potential timeline to return, but it appears as though the former MVP will be sidelined for at least 10 days, if not longer. More information will surely continue to come out over the next day or two. Adam Duvall figures to be the biggest beneficiary if Acuna remains shelved for an extended period.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Leaves Sunday’s Game With Left Knee Soreness
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) left Sunday's game in the first inning with left knee soreness, which was confirmed by the Atlanta Braves. Acuna attempted to steal third base but had to make a hard pivot back to second base. As a result he fell down in pain in the infield. He was able to walk to the dugout on his power but had to take several pauses. Fantasy managers will have to wait until Sunday night when the team returns to Atlanta to undergo any further testing. Acuna was named the 2023 NL MVP in unanimous fashion as he posted a .337/.416/.596 line with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases. If the 26-year-old were to miss any extended time, Adam Duvall should be the favorite to see the majority of starts in right field.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Leaves Sunday’s Game Early With Apparent Knee Injury
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) left Sunday's game early, suffering an apparent non-contact injury on his left knee. Acuna knocked a leadoff double and attempted to swipe third but had to take a hard pivot back to second base. Due to this, he went down in the infield in clear pain and even pointed toward his left knee. He was able to walk off the field on his power but had to pause several times before reaching the dugout. Acuna won the NL MVP Award last season with an incredible 41 long balls and 73 stolen bases. He has been off to a slow start this season with just four home runs and a .246 AVG. Currently, there is not any information on the severity of the injury, but if Acuna were to miss time, Adam Duvall would see the majority of starts in right field.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. turned in a productive performance in an 11-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Acuna went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the loss. The veteran's blast came in the eighth inning, traveling 397 feet with an exit velocity of 103.6 MPH. Off to a slow start this season, by his lofty standards, Acuna is now hitting .247 with four homers, 38 runs, 15 RBI, and 15 steals across 186 at-bats. With that being his first homer in over a week, Acuna will look to stay hot moving forward.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is sitting out on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs for the first time this season. With Acuna retreating to the bench, Adam Duvall will start in right field and bat six and center fielder Michael Harris II will bat leadoff for Atlanta against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. With a scheduled off day coming on Thursday, Acuna will be back in the lineup on Friday for the start of a series against the visiting San Diego Padres. The reigning National League MVP has been a bit disappointing by his standards through 155 at-bats in 2024, slashing .245/.354/.342 with only three home runs and 11 RBI, but he's also added 14 stolen bases and 33 runs scored and remains a must-start in all formats when he's active. Harris becomes a much more attractive DFS play at the top of the Braves' lineup on Wednesday.
Ronald Acuña Jr.
• RF
•
Braves
|
