Braves’ Acuña gets quick start to new season

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has been cleared to play in the World Baseball Classic and was taking swings at the team’s spring training camp on Wednesday, getting an early start on a season with high expectations.

Acuña hit .266 with 15 homers and drove in 50 runs in 119 games in 2022 after sustaining a seasonending torn ligament in his right knee on July 10, 2021. Acuña played through knee pain last season and at times was used as the team’s designated hitter.

Now the Braves’ three-time All-Star is looking forward to a pain-free season with hopes of returning to his 2019 peak form, when he .280 with 41 homers and 101 RBIs and led the NL with 37 stolen bases.

“I’m just beyond excited and happy,” Acuña said through a translator last month at the Braves Fest fan event at Truist Park. “I think my face says it all. I think it’s beyond two years at this point since I’ve felt completely healthy, so I’m beyond excited.”

SORENESS FOR DEGROM

New Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom already has experienced his first physical setback with the team. On a cool day at the team’s first day of camp in Arizona, deGrom was held back after experiencing soreness in his left side.

General manager Chris Young said deGrom experienced the discomfort two days ago and said the decision to hold back the righthander a day or two was precautionary. Even so, the development caused concern as deGrom’s last two seasons with the New York Mets were substantially shortened by injuries.

The Rangers signed deGrom to a $185 million, five-year deal on Dec. 3.