The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Acuna has mild strain, said to be day-to-day
Meanwhile, outfielder named NL Player of the Week for a third time.
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. underwent an MRI Monday that revealed a mild abdominal strain. He’s considered day-to-day.
It’s a best-case scenario for the Braves after Acuna was injured during Sunday’s 13-4 victory over the Cubs. After drawing a walk to begin the fourth inning, Acuna was apparently hurt during a pickoff attempt at first base. He repeatedly pointed to his middle area. Acuna advanced to second base when Freddie Freeman walked, and after speaking with manager Brian Snitker, Acuna stayed in the game.
Acuna scored later in the inning, sliding headfirst into home. He was removed afterward due to pain in his lower abdominal muscles.
Snitker said after the game it was an abdominal strain and that Acuna would undergo testing during Monday’s off day in New York, where the Braves will open a two-game series against the Yankees today.
The team and player are fortunate that Acuna avoided time on the injury list. The 23-year-old is off to an Mvp-level start and was named NL Player of the Week for a third time by MLB on Monday, for hitting .385/.515/.846 with three homers, eight RBIS and 13 runs scored in seven games.
For t he season he’s h it .419/.486/.887 with seven homers, 16 RBIS and an Mlb-best 21 runs scored. He’s also 3-for-3 in stolen bases.
The Braves are already shorthanded, especially in the outfield, where center fielders Cristian Pache (groin) and Ender Inciarte (hamstring) are on the injured list. Their absences forced veteran Guillermo Heredia into playing time, and he delivered Sunday with a two-homer, sixRBI performance.
Outfield isn’t the only area struck by the injury bug. The Braves are down three starters in Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Drew Smyly. Soroka, whose return from a torn Achilles was disrupted by shoulder inflammation, won’t be
back this month. The Braves are hopeful Fried (hamstring) and Smyly (forearm) miss only one start.
Reliever Chris Martin is sidelined with shoulder inflammation and hasn’t resumed throwing. Lefty Sean Newcomb is on the IL for an undisclosed reason and there’s no timetable for his return. Second baseman Ozzie Albies has missed the last two games with calf soreness. He avoided an IL stint, however, and is expected back today.
The Braves’ schedule this week will work in their favor. They were off Monday and have another off day Thursday. They have only two games before Friday, when they open their second homestand of the season. They could rest Acuna during the Yankees series, at least, which would give him four days off.
The Braves just finished a stretch of 10 consecutive games without an off day, and given their health issues, the off days this week are welcomed.
Injuries and under-performances have resulted in a mediocre start for the Braves, who are 7-9 after taking two of three in Chicago over the weekend. Now, the Braves will see another struggling contender, the Yankees, who have lost five in a row and are 5-10.