Atlanta Braves' star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning National League MVP, is on track to be ready for opening day after a recent examination of his sore right knee revealed no serious issues.
Acuña underwent a thorough evaluation by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, where it was determined that there was only irritation in the meniscus of his right knee. As a result, Acuña will be able to gradually increase his baseball activities and is anticipated to be cleared to play when the Braves kick off the regular season against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 28.
The 24-year-old Acuña had a remarkable 2021 season, making history by becoming the first player to achieve the feat of hitting 40 home runs and stealing 70 bases in a single season. His outstanding performance, which included a .337 batting average, 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases, earned him the prestigious NL MVP award and played a pivotal role in leading the Braves to their sixth consecutive NL East title.
The injury scare occurred during an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when Acuña tweaked his knee while involved in a rundown between second and third base. Despite initially showing no immediate signs of distress, he eventually left the game after a couple of innings due to lingering discomfort in his knee.
Following the incident, Acuña participated in batting practice the next day, but the decision was made to err on the side of caution when the pain persisted in the same knee that had previously suffered a season-ending injury in 2021.
Fortunately, the examination by Dr. ElAttrache confirmed that there was no structural damage, providing a sense of relief for the Braves organization as they prepare for the upcoming season filled with high expectations.
With Acuña's health outlook positive, the Braves can look forward to having their star player in top form as they aim to build on their recent successes and make a strong push for postseason glory.
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