Braves writer reveals safety reason Ronald Acuna Jr. will not return during Marlins series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are the best team in baseball with 32 wins and are coming off another series victory against the Boston Red Sox. Atlanta is also slowly beginning to get healthy again, with Eli White potentially returning soon.
The other outfielder currently on the injured list is Ronald Acuña Jr.. Acuña has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Colorado.
“Sunday morning brought bad news to the Braves, but it could have been worse. The team placed Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list after he strained his left hamstring in Saturday’s 9-1 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. Acuña got an MRI late Saturday night, and the Braves made the decision early Sunday,” MLB.com’s Owen Perkins wrote.
It was a scary injury, but Acuña avoided a more serious setback. When he was first injured, there was optimism that he would only need the minimum 10 days to recover.
“Back when Ronald Acuña Jr. was initially diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, there was a feeling that Acuña’s stint on the IL might be a quick one — one where the starting right fielder for the Braves would simply just take some rest before ramping back up for a return within a 10-day span,” Battery Power’s Demetrius Bell wrote.
However, it has now been two weeks, and Acuña continues to make strong progress. The star outfielder could likely return as soon as Monday, but the Braves are currently in Miami playing on turf, which is likely leading the organization to give him a few extra days.
“Acuña will travel with the Braves, but the turf in Miami is one of the reasons he likely won’t be activated before the Braves return home on Friday,” Braves beat writer Mark Bowman posted.
Atlanta understands that the Marlins’ ballpark has already played a role in one major injury for Acuña, and artificial turf can be tough on players’ legs. Because of that, Acuña is now expected to return this weekend in Atlanta against the Washington Nationals.
One luxury of being the best team in baseball is having the ability to take a cautious approach when necessary. Acuña is eager to get back on the field, but the organization is clearly focused on making sure its superstar is fully healthy before activating him.
More MLB news:
