ATLANTA (AP) — Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the Venezuelan star, and the right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider are taking important steps this week to return from injuries.
Acuña will begin playing with the Braves’ Florida Complex League squad in North Port on Tuesday. He has been sidelined for nearly a full season after ACL surgery on his left knee last year. Acuña was injured on May 26, 2024, and underwent surgery on June 6.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said before Monday night’s game against Washington that Acuña will need to log minor-league game action after his stint in North Port.
“He is just beginning his return,” Snitker said. “It’ll be nice to see him running again in the outfield and getting his at-bats.”
Atlanta’s offense has missed Acuña, the team’s leadoff hitter and the 2023 National League MVP. Before the opening game of a four-game series with the Nationals, the Braves had scored three or fewer runs in five of their last six games.
Acuña was limited to 49 games last season. He batted .250 with four home runs in 2024, a year after belting 41 homers with 73 steals and a .337 batting average.
Strider will throw a simulated game in Atlanta on Wednesday. Snitker said the Braves might better manage Strider’s workload in the simulated game than if he pitched in a minor-league game.
The Braves expect Strider to throw between 70 and 75 pitches over five innings.
Strider made only two starts last season before undergoing elbow surgery on April 12, 2024. Strider finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2023 and was an All-Star, posting a 20-5 record, a 3.86 ERA and a then-career-high 281 strikeouts.
Strider returned from elbow surgery by pitching five innings in a 3-1 loss in Toronto on April 16. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 after suffering a right hamstring strain.
“The hamstring is ready,” Snitker said.
The Braves will be able to create situations for Strider to handle bunts and cover first base in the simulated game.
“We’ll evaluate him after that,” Snitker said, adding that a rehab start in the minor leagues hasn’t been ruled out.
“We need him to be able to throw 85 pitches, or maybe 90, when we decide he’ll start a game,” Snitker said about Strider’s return to Atlanta’s rotation.
