The Atlanta Braves continue their Spring Training matchups on Friday with the Baltimore Orioles. Originally, Ronald Acuna Jr. was going to get in more reps but that changed a little after noon.
David O’Brien reported on X that the reigning National League MVP has been scratched from the lineup due to what the Braves are calling precautionary regarding a sore right knee.
Obviously Spring Training games are essentially exhibitions and there is no need to take risk for injury when there is any doubt at all regarding a player’s health. However, in this case, it may make some Braves fans a little uneasy.
Ronald Acuna Jr. injury scare in spring training is very spooky
Acuna Jr. is coming off a historic season in which he stole over 70 bases. In 2023, he went full speed a lot. Now the same knee that suffered a torn ACL back in 2021 is sore. Naturally, fans will hold their breath and think there is more to this decision.
We can trust the Braves great training staff when they tell us this is precautionary. Soreness this time of year is pretty common for a slew of players. Sure players continue to train in the off-season before Spring Training contests begin but there is no way to truly prepare for what a real game requires from the body.
Most likely this sore right knee is just from the use so far this spring and Acuna just needs some rest. The entire Atlanta Braves organization has made it very clear that nothing but a World Series title is acceptable in 2024, We all know that Ronald Acuna Jr. will have to be a big part of the Braves success for Atlanta to accomplish this goal.
There is no need to be concerned or panic about this news. This early in Spring Training if any player expresses any form of discomfort, the Braves will make sure they do what is needed to keep the entire squad healthy entering the 2024 regular season.