By Joiner Martínez
01 Mar 2024, 18:15 PM EST
The Atlanta Braves removed the current National League Most Valuable Player, Ronald Acuña Jr., from the lineup this Friday due to discomfort in his right knee.
The Braves suffered a 3-1 defeat on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles at CoolToday Park that began with the news of Acuña Jr.’s pain in a knee that had already been operated on in 2021.
The club sent the Venezuelan gunner to undergo several tests to make sure there was nothing serious.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said: “I don’t think it’s anything. It’s probably one of those things that, if it’s in season [regular], I would continue playing. “But we wanted to take a look.”
“It will be a couple of days,” Snitker said. “If you miss one, you’ll probably miss two or three.”
As of now, the Braves will not announce test results until Saturday. In any case, the Venezuelan will miss the next two games, according to the manager.
It was in that same knee that the Venezuelan suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in July 2021, which caused him to miss the rest of that campaign and the beginning of the next. For that reason, it makes sense for Atlanta to be very careful with Acuña, especially in the preseason.
However, Acuña did not appear to have any problems in batting practice prior to the game against Baltimore.
The native of La Guaira has participated in three games in the Grapefruit League this year and has had a hit seven times at bat, with one RBI.
Acuña wants to stay in Atlanta “for life”
Acuña Jr. expressed that he would like to remain with the team forever: “It is no secret that I want to be a Bravo for life. “I hope I can stay here forever and I hope we can make that happen soon.”
Acuña could be an elite player for many years. And the Braves know that he is under contractual control until the end of 2028, when he will be just 30 years old.
Not only will Atlanta have one of the most talented players over the next five seasons, but it will also be at a cost of just $17 million per year. The 26-year-old outfielder will earn $85 million over the remainder of his current deal.
Acuña could seek at least one more mega-contract. It remains to be seen if she will always remain with the Braves, but there is mutual interest in that being the case.
Keep reading:
Four Latinos appear in the top 10 of the best players in the Major Leagues
“I want to be a Bravo for life”: Ronald Acuña Jr. hopes to stay in Atlanta his entire career
Latinos Ronald Acuña Jr. and Yordan Álvarez appear as the best in their position, according to MLB Network