Acuña day-to-day ahead of 2-game set
While the New York Yankees are trying to recover from their worst 15-game start since 1997, the Atlanta Braves got some good news about an abdominal injury to star Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Yankees look to snap a five-game losing streak Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game series against the visiting Braves, who may be without Acuña.
It is the eighth time in team history the Yankees have dropped at least 10 of their first 15 games and fourth instance since 1970. In the previous three instances the
Yankees recovered to post winning records and in 1997 they won nine of the next 12 to get over .500 for good and win 96 games.
Over the weekend, the Yankees mustered 11 hits and struck out 37 times in a three-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“I’m frustrated, personally frustrated,” New York’s DJ Lemahieu said.
The latest loss was a 4-2 setback Sunday when New York was held to three hits. That loss is part of a 2-8 skid since April 6, a slide during which the Yankees have been outscored 53-33 while batting .194 with 94 strikeouts.
“Right now, we would be a team that an opponent would want to play because we’re not firing on all cylinders,” New York GM Brian Cashman said Monday. “Our strengths are obviously not showing themselves right now, so if you had a time to catch us right now, you’re catching us at the right time through yesterday’s game.”
Atlanta is coming off a 13-4 win over the host Chicago Cubs on Sunday night when it hit four of its season-high five homers in the first inning. The power display was put on the backburner when Acuña was injured in the fourth diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt.
Acuña stayed in the game and scored on a sacrifice fly by Travis d’arnaud but was lifted after the inning, and Atlanta said the outfielder ws experiencing pain in his lower abdominal muscles.
Acuña underwent an MRI Monday, and the Braves said he would be day-to-day with an abdominal strain.
“From what I’ve heard, (Acuña) is doing good,” Atlanta starter Bryse Wilson said. “We’re hoping he’s going to be alright. I haven’t heard anything other than that.”