Acuna, 20, youngest player in majors, starts for Braves
No break-in period needed for 20-year-old Ronald Acuna Jr.
Promoted by the Atlanta Braves from Triple-a, the youngest player in the majors was put into the starting lineup Wednesday, batting sixth and playing left field against Cincinnati.
“I’m not worried about too much,” Acuna said through a translator. “I’m just going to give it my best effort and leave it all out on the field. I’m trying to approach it like a minor league game at the major league level.”
Acuna wore No. 13, just like fellow Venezuelans Dave Concepcion and Ozzie
Guillen.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said there was no doubt Acuna would start in his debut.
“I didn’t even think about that,” Snitker said. “We’ve never done that with any of our young players. If they come up, they need to play.”
Acuna rose from Class A to Triple-a in 2017, hitting a combined .325 with 21 home runs, 82 RBIS and 44 stolen bases. Then he was selected MVP of the Arizona Fall League. He began this season as Mlb.com’s No. 2 overall prospect behind Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.
Brewers: Milwaukee first baseman Eric Thames will be out at least a couple of months after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during Tuesday’s victory in Kansas City.
Thames had an MRI exam that revealed the torn ligament. He was placed on the disabled list and right-hander Brandon Woodruff was recalled from Triple-a Colorado Springs.
Rangers: Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre was placed on the 10-day DL with a strained left hamstring. He is the third Texas starting infielder out with an injury.
The Rangers made the move a day after Beltre pulled up on his way to first base in the eighth inning of a loss to Oakland. Beltre limped off the field after getting to first on his 3,075th career hit.
Rays: Jonny Venters is back in the big leagues, ready to pitch for Tampa Bay after enduring three Tommy John surgeries and a six-year absence.
Venters last pitched in the majors for Atlanta in the 2012 NL wild-card game, a year after he was an NL All-star.
Orioles: Baltimore put infielder Tim Beckham on the 10-day DL with a left groin strain.
After being moved from shortstop to third base, Beckham has played well in the field but struggled at the plate. He’s batting .179 with one homer and four RBIS.
Indians: Veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera will report to extended spring training after signing a minor league contract with Cleveland.
Indians manager Terry Francona said Cabrera, 33, will spend approximately 7-to10 days at the team’s complex in Goodyear, Arizona, before joining a minor league team.