The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Acuña now playing without pain
His six-inning stint in right field without incident is encouraging.
NORTH PORT, FLA. — Ronald Acuña Jr. ran up toward a sinking line drive to right field, slid and caught it.
What knee soreness?
“I feel good, I feel normal,” Acuña said after his afternoon ended.
Acuña on Sunday played right field for the first time since Feb. 29. On March 1, the Braves scratched him due to right meniscus irritation.
Knock on wood, but it appears nothing worse came of that situation. Acuña was the designated hitter Thursday, but played six innings in right field without incident Sunday at CoolToday Park versus the Red Sox.
In two games since he returned to the lineup, Acuña is 1-for-5 with a walk. The hit and the walk came Sunday.
He still has a week and a half to get more at-bats before the real games begin.
“I don’t know how many ABs, but for me, more games is better,” he said. “I need to play more games to be ready for the new season.”
Arcia plunked
Orlando Arcia was hit in the hand by a pitch during the bottom of the sixth inning Sunday. After the game, manager Brian Snitker said Arcia’s X-rays showed no problems. The Braves, Snitker said, will see how Arcia feels when he arrives at the facility today.
Fried gets the ball again
Max Fried will start today’s game in Port Charlotte. Fried has only pitched in two big-league spring games to this point, but he’s thrown in simulated games or minor-league contests to continue ramping up.
Spencer Strider pitched Sunday in Sarasota. He hasn’t allowed an earned run through 18⅔ innings over five spring starts.
Strider is lined up to pitch Opening Day on an extra day of rest. Fried could pitch on Opening Day on regular rest.
Who will the Braves choose? That’s one of the few storylines remaining in camp.
Legends in camp
Two Braves legends graced the team as guests at camp recently: Andruw Jones and Ralph Garr.
Jones could be seen hanging out in the clubhouse. Jones, of course, was arguably the game’s best center fielder for a lengthy period. He could one day be a Hall of Famer.
Garr, 78, was walking laps around the warning track at CoolToday Park on Saturday as the Braves took batting practice. Garr, who played for the Braves from 1968-75, won a batting title when he hit .353 in 1974. He was also an All-Star that year.