RONALD ACUÑA NEWS

Targeting Thursday return Acuna hasn't yet spoken to Atlanta manager Brian Snitker since Venezuela was eliminated from the WBC, but the team expects him to be in the Grapefruit League lineup Thursday agains...

Impact The 25-year-old went 4-for-18 during five WBC games with a double and three steals. Acuna posted a career-low .764 OPS in 2022 over 119 games as he made his return from ACL surgery, but the main issue was his launch angle, not his ability to crush the ball. A 30-30 season, or even better, is entirely plausible for Acuna if he stays healthy.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ranking the best 49 outfielders of 2023 in the MLB

Who are baseball's best outfielders? Ben Verlander breaks down his five tiers for all three positions.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

Acuña arrives at camp knowing health leads to hits NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Ronald Acuña Jr. spoke to media members at Braves Fest on Jan. 21, it was clear he was really looking forward to the...

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • MLB.COM

Braves notes: Pitch clock's here; Chipper Jones rejoins staff; Ronald Acuña Jr. arrives early Even pitchers such as Spencer Strider, who works quickly, will have to pick up the tempo with a timer in place this season.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Gets go-ahead for WBC Atlanta approved Acuna to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic on Thursday, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact There has been a lot of back-and-forth reporting on this topic, but Acuna is indeed going to be on Venezuela's roster when it is officially revealed on Thursday night. The 25-year-old ultimately secured permission from Atlanta, who have been in contact with Team Venezuela's staff about a strategy that would keep Acuna healthy. He might be limited to DH duties initially in the WBC as he moves further and further away from his 2021 torn ACL. Acuna wants to return to full-time outfield work for Atlanta in 2023.

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Skipping World Baseball Classic Acuna wanted to represent Venezuela at the upcoming World Baseball Classic but doesn't expect to do so, following the advice of doctors and of Atlanta's training staff, Justin Tosc...

Impact The news could be seen as evidence that the team still doesn't fully trust Acuna's health even though 18 months have passed since he tore his ACL, though it's probably unwise to read too much into the decision. While it's true that some superstars with injury histories will participate in the tournament, with Mike Trout being the most notable example, it's certainly not universal. Atlanta understandably wants Acuna to focus on being the best version of himself for the regular season. After returning from surgery in late April of last year, Acuna's speed didn't seem affected, as he stole 29 bases in 119 games, but his .266/.351/.413 slash line and 15 home runs were below his usual standards.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Braves excited about international free-agent class and the Ronald Acuña Jr. effect As the Braves' director of Latin American scouting said: "I think (Acuña) is the face of Venezuelan baseball right now. Acuña sells."

JANUARY 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Ronald Acuña Jr. career timeline Career timeline: Ronald Acuña Jr.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • MLB.COM

Fans storm field after Acuña wows crowd Ronald Acuña Jr. put on a show alongside a handful of fellow Major Leaguers on Monday night in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League H...

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • MLB.COM

Jackie Robinson NL Rookies of the Year x-unanimous 2022 — Michael Harris II, Atlanta 2021 — Jonathan India, Cincinnati 2020 — Devin Williams, Milwaukee 2019 — Pete Alonso, New Yor...

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Acuña Jr. to play 5 games in Venezuela this winter Ronald Acuña Jr. is the biggest Major League star that Venezuela has produced in recent years. However, the country’s devoted baseball fanba...

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • MLB.COM

Acuña appears determined to keep playing after HBP ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. was intent on staying in Game 2 of the National League Division Series after being struck near the right elbow b...

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • MLB.COM

Braves' Brian Snitker explains decision to leave Ronald Acuna Jr. in NLDS Game 2 after HBP: 'Best thing that happened was he scored' Acuna appeared unlikely to stay in the game after taking a Zack Wheeler fastball to the elbow, but he got through the inning and finished th...

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Elbow feeling fine Acuna said he "feels good" after taking a pitch off his right elbow during Wednesday's win over the Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, Justin Toscano of The...

Impact Acuna was able to stay in the game even though he was clearly in a lot of pain. Atlanta still might keep an eye on Acuna's elbow for the next couple of days, but the team didn't express much concern about his ability to play in Friday's Game 3.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

2022 MLB Playoffs: Braves win Game 2 pitchers' duel to even NLDS

The Braves won a Game 2 pitchers' duel behind Kyle Wright's strong outing and some timely hitting against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar writes...

OCTOBER 13, 2022

Not in Wednesday's lineup Acuna isn't starting Wednesday against Miami.

Impact Acuna has gone just 1-for-10 with a run, an RBI, a stolen base, three walks and four strikeouts over the last three games, and he'll rest during Wednesday's regular-season finale. Robbie Grossman will take over in right field and bat seventh.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in run, steals base in win Acuna went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, two walks and a stolen base in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Impact Acuna ripped an RBI single off Braxton Garrett in the top of the second frame before swiping second base. He later added two walks to his line. The stolen base was his 29th of the year and first since Sept. 13. Acuna came into Tuesday's contest having gone 3-for-20 with six strikeouts and no RBI in his last five games, so he'll look to build off the performance as Atlanta heads into the playoffs.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Homers twice in Tuesday's win Acuna went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Nationals.

Impact After missing a few games late last week with back trouble, Acuna came off the bench for a key hit Sunday and appeared to be 100 percent healthy Tuesday as he launched his 14th and 15th homers of the year. The 24-year-old is slashing just .256/.304/.477 through 92 plate appearances in September, but he could be gearing up for a big finish to the regular season as Atlanta tries to win its fifth straight NL East crown.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Re-enters lineup Monday Acuna (back) will start in right field and bat leadoff Monday against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Acuna had been out of the lineup for each of Atlanta's last four games with mid-back tightness, but he always appeared to be a good bet to start in Monday's series opener in Washington after he logged two plate appearances off the bench in Sunday's 8-7 win over Philadelphia in 11 innings. The fact that Atlanta is deploying Acuna at right field Monday rather than designated hitter seemingly supports that notion, and so long as he avoids any setbacks in his return to the lineup, he should be a mainstay in the starting nine throughout the week as the team looks to chase down the Mets for the National League East title.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two PAs off bench Sunday Acuna (back) appeared as a pinch hitter Sunday against the Phillies, going 1-for-1 with a run, an RBI and a walk.

Impact He entered as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning and got another plate appearance in the 11th inning. Acuna last started a game Sept. 21 as the designated hitter as he deals with mid-back tightness. Atlanta starts a three-game series in Washington on Monday.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE