National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. made his return to the Atlanta Braves’ spring training lineup on Thursday, marking his comeback just two weeks before the opening day.
Batting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays, Acuña faced three at-bats but failed to register a hit, striking out twice before being substituted for a pinch hitter.
Acuña’s return to action follows a brief hiatus due to soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, which he experienced after a rundown play during a game against the Minnesota Twins on February 29.
Taking precautionary measures, the Braves sent him to Los Angeles for evaluation by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers who had previously operated on Acuña’s knee injury in 2021.
Following examination, ElAttrache determined that the knee only showed irritation in the meniscus, allowing Acuña to gradually resume his baseball activities in preparation for the regular season opener on March 28 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Acuña’s appearance on Thursday marks a significant step forward in ensuring his availability for the upcoming games. The next phase of his recovery will likely involve getting playing time in his usual position in right field. In a move to provide additional outfield depth, the Braves also signed slugger Adam Duvall on Thursday.
Acuña is returning from a remarkable season where he recorded 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases, becoming the first player in major league history to achieve a 40-70 combination. His outstanding performance earned him his first MVP award, contributing to the Braves’ sixth consecutive NL East title.
