By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
26 Sep 2024, 16:46 PM EDT
At the end of May, the current MVP of the National League, Ronald Acuña, tried to steal the third base and in the setback he suffered a serious injury of torn cruciate ligaments in his right knee, which kept him away from the entire 2024 season. Major Leagues.
Acuña recently spoke to the media from Truist Park in Atlanta and gave an assessment of his current situation and what he sees for next season. Which he hopes to be ready to play on Opening Day.
“I’m going to be a little more careful with this. If the team and the doctors tell me that I’m ready but I don’t feel well or something is bothering me, I’m going to say so. I trust that I can be ready for Opening Day,” explained the Venezuelan.
“If I feel good, everyone knows I’m going to want to play, I’m going to want to be out there,” said the young Braves outfielder. “If I feel good, I’ll be there. But at the end of the day, it depends on how I feel.”
Acuña Jr. stole 73 bases in 2023 and in 2024 with 49 games played he already had 16 stolen bases, being one of his greatest qualities as a player. However, for 2025 it seems that the Venezuelan will be a little more cautious and will concentrate on defense and offense, leaving aside stealing bases a little to avoid more injuries.
Even the player himself stated that he does not believe he can reach 40 or more stolen bases so easily again. Well, he now has delicate operations on both knees, so his speed will surely be reduced.
“I think I’m going to be patient. We’re going to focus on hitting and defense, and what I can do to help the team. As for running and stealing that many bases, I don’t know if I can reach 40 or 50 easily. I think it remains to be seen. But yes, I don’t know how everything is going to turn out,” Acuña concluded.
With only five games remaining in the regular season, Acuña supports his team from the outside in the fight for a place in the playoffs. Well, Atlanta’s ninth team is just one game ahead of the Mets for the last Wild Card in the National League.
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