NORTH PORT, Fla. — The reigning MVP is back.
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. returned to the Braves’ lineup Thursday in a 3-1 loss to the Rays, hitting leadoff as the designated hitter. Acuña hadn’t played since Feb. 29 after dealing with irritation in his right meniscus. He and the team had said he’d be ready for opening day.
Acuña went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts but felt normal physically.
“I feel great,” Acuña said. “I feel normal. I feel super excited. ... I don’t feel anything. I feel normal like last year.”
The Braves begin the regular season in Philadelphia in two weeks, so Acuña returns with plenty of time to get ready. The team will play him in the outfield soon depending on how he feels.
“Absolutely, more than enough (time) for him,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s been hitting, taking live at-bats. He hasn’t missed that. It’s just running around the outfield and running the bases is the biggest thing. But as far as at-bats, he’ll be fine.”
Acuña, 26, produced one of the greatest seasons in MLB history in 2023. He hit .337/.416/.596 and produced baseball’s first 40-70 (41 homers, 73 stolen bases). The dynamic leadoff man is on a Hall of Fame trajectory through six seasons.
