The reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves are off to a slow start this year. Maybe it’s a championship hangover, maybe it’s because Eddie Rosario is battling eye issues or maybe it’s just early in the season and there’s no need to overreact.
Either way, the 8-11 club just got massive boost on Thursday as superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returned from an ACL tear in his right knee last July.
Less than a year after the devastating injury, one of baseball’s most exciting players will step back on a Major League field and just about every fan of the sport is celebrating.
That, begrudgingly, included the Gwinnett Stripers—Atlanta’s triple-A team where Acuna was sent on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Braves.
Braves take a chance on a prospect who isn't even rated in our system's top 100.
Let's see how this turns out. https://t.co/7wZxsyaGYm
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 28, 2022
For those of y'all who followed us strictly for Ronald Acuña Jr. updates: thanks for coming.
We'll always cherish these last two weeks.
Maybe we'll meet again someday. pic.twitter.com/MUeR1qqtbl
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 28, 2022
On the bright side, Truist Park is only about 40 minutes from where the Stripers play, so surely Gwinnett fans can go visit Acuna whenever they please.
On the even brighter side, Atlanta is once again a force to be reckoned with in the National League East. Tipico Sportsbook lists the Braves at +175 to win the division, +650 to win the pennant and +1200 to repeat as World Series champions.
While those odds are already pretty short, they could seem like bargains if the Braves go on the type of run they had after Acuna’s injury last year. Atlanta finished the year 44-29 and muscled its way to a World Series victory.
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Gwinnett should be fine in the meantime. And once Rosario’s rehab stint begins in a few months all those Braves followers will come running right back.
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