By Miguel Rapetti
05 Mar 2024, 21:26 PM EST
The doubts that existed about the presence of Ronald Acuña Jr. with the Atlanta Braves for the Opening Day of the Major Leagues were practically ruled out this Tuesday when a more serious injury to his right knee was ruled out.
A visit by Acuña Jr. to the office of Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, who was responsible for the operation and recovery of the torn cruciate ligaments he suffered in 2021, ruled out any type of serious injury and he will be able to say present from the Day one of the new 2024 MLB season agreed for next March 28 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In fact, the news was confirmed when the National League MVP was seen this Tuesday at Atlanta Braves Spring Training taking batting practice and later addressing the media, but not before joking by simulating an injury and walking limping towards the cameras.
“I feel really well. “I feel like nothing happened,” the Venezuelan commented briefly.
Doubts about Acuña Jr.’s physical condition began after Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with pain in the joint that ultimately meant irritation in the right meniscus, in an ailment far from his serious 2021 injury mentioned above. .
“I feel like I can play today. I can play every day, but I have a boss (Braves). When they tell me I can play, then I will play,” Acuña Jr. said.
The “boss” reference refers to George Poulis, the team’s trainer, who is responsible for the physique of the team’s players.
Acuña began to suffer after he was caught running between second and third base during the game against the Twins and despite having taken batting practice a day later, he was removed from the lineup hours before the game against the Detroit Tigers.
The Hispanic will seek in the 2024 season to improve his numbers that made him the Most Valuable Player, especially thanks to the historic feat he achieved in 2023 by achieving the first 40-70 in the history of the Major Leagues (+40 home runs, +70 stolen bases).
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