With the wrist not improving, the Atlanta Braves young phenom has been shut down.
It will be another week — at least — until we’ll see the Atlanta Braves put Ronald Acuna Jr. back into the lineup, and that doesn’t help what’s been a difficult last week for them.
The #Braves today placed OF Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to August 12, with left wrist inflammation and recalled RHP Chad Sobotka to the active roster.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 15, 2020
Even with Acuna in the lineup, the team was starting to scuffle offensively (though most of their problems clearly continue to stem from issues with starting pitching). Without his presence, though, this lineup looks a lot more vulnerable with he and Albies both missing.
For his part, Ozzie Albies is said to be “progressing” with his own wrist issue, but his had been bothersome since the beginning of the season. Still, there’s reasonable hope that the Braves will have their second baseman back by the mid part of this next week or so.
As for Acuna — who initially hurt himself on a head-first slide — manager Brian Snitker is reporting that the wrist is still “sore” while also trying to deflect characterizations that this status change represents a “setback” in his efforts to get back onto the field.
As for that, Snitker is suggesting that he could be available to the team when eligible to return from the IL next Friday. We’ll see.
In the meantime, the Atlanta Braves are 4-7 in their last 11 games and losers of 4 in row after dropping the first game vs. Miami in disappointing fashion.
Without strong starting pitching, the Braves’ offense is simply having trouble scoring enough to overcome what the starters give up.
Having both Acuna and Albies healthy and in the lineup is a key component that increases the ‘fear factor’ to opposing pitchers. Without them… the opposition can pitch around most trouble.
We’ll see tonight if Max Fried (3-0, 1.59) can answer the call tonight. He’s been really good so far.