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Braves fans get brief dose of panic with news Ronald Acuña Jr. out of Home Run Derby

Eric Cole
Eric Cole

House That Hank Built

Atlanta Braves v Athletics / Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages

Atlanta Braves fans were understandably concerned this week when Ronald Acuña Jr. was scratched from the Braves' lineup with stiffness in his back. It proved to be a momentary absence as he was back in the next day and promptly blasted two home runs. However, it did indicate that Acuña Jr. wasn't 100% and his full participation in the upcoming All-Star festivities was in jeopardy.

Sadly, that proved to be correct as it was revealed on Friday evening that Acuña Jr. would not be participating in the Home Run Derby as expected. There is some good news, however. Not only will Acuña Jr. still play in the All-Star Game, but teammate Matt Olson will take his place in the Derby.

Ronald Acuña Jr. out of Home Run Derby, Matt Olson to replace him

If Acuña Jr. was going to miss the All-Star Game as well, this would be more concerning. Given that Acuña Jr.'s back has been sore and he is also just now getting back up to speed after his knee injury, he and the Braves are likely just exercising an abundance of caution as the Derby can be pretty grueling. Acuña Jr. wouldn't be playing at all if his issues were more serious than that.

While it would have been great to see Acuña Jr. participate in the Derby at Truist Park, Atlanta fans will still get to see Olson take his shot. Olson has no shortage of power at his disposal and is likely to pepper the Chop House with more than a few bombs. Given the field this year, it wouldn't be that crazy if he made a real run at winning the thing.

For Braves fans already in a panic, you shouldn't just yet. In a season full of colossal disappointments, this feels like a very minor blip.

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Eric Cole

Eric Cole

I started my career writing about baseball covering the Atlanta Braves for SB Nation's Talking Chop back in 2015 which has since been renamed Battery Power. After years of writing for those fine folks, I made the decision to take over as Site Expert at House That Hank Built before becoming a full-time MLB Staff Writer for FanSided in 2023. Along the way, I have been a guest on multiple ESPN radio affiliates as well as 680 The Fan and 92.9 The Game to discuss Braves baseball and especially Braves prospects and was a long-time host on the Battery Power podcast. These days, I continue to write about the Braves as well as covering the Astros, Padres, and Angels with particular expertise with minor league coverage, the MLB Draft, and bashing Anthony Rendon when possible. When I am not writing about or talking about baseball (which is seldom), I am an avid baseball card collector (Maddux and Soroka being my primary personal collections) and I also collect shark teeth. All other sports are mostly dead to me as my Bills have broken my heart too many times.