Braves News: Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury, Chris Sale Shows Optimistic Sharp Signs For the Braves and more…
Monday could turn into a waiting game off the field.
As another week begins for the Braves in Spring Training in Florida, the eyes of Braves country will actually be fixed on Los Angeles in nervous anticipation. Ronald Acuna Jr. is scheduled to receive further evaluation on his right knee from the same doctor who repaired his torn ACL in 2021. While irritation of the meniscus is the initial report, more on the severity of the irritation should be known after today.
While the timing of an update on Acuna Jr. is not currently known, stick with Battery Power for the latest information when it is available.
A more positive development from the weekend is a second straight intriguing appearance from Chris Sale. Though Sale did have a bit of struggles with control, he also recorded a strikeout on five of his seven outs. Sale looks healthy and effective, as his velocity once again touched 97 while the movement on his breaking pitches was pristine on multiple occasions.
Braves News:
- Orlando Arcia delivered the big moment at the plate with a two run home run in a 3-2 win for the Braves over the Phillies.
- Hurston Waldrep is taking a very aggressive approach to his first Spring Training with the Braves.
- In what was a busy day for Justin Toscano of the AJC and the Braves in general, MLBPA director Tony Clark stopped by Braves camp and gave some interesting perspectives on the franchise.
- Unfortunately, long-time and highly respected NFL reporter Chris Mortenson died on Sunday at the age of 72. As mentioned by Braves legend Dale Murphy, Mortenson covered the Braves from 1983-1985.
- Brad Rowland and Scott Coleman discuss the latest on the Braves, including previewing the 2024 outfield and diving further into the details of Acuna’s injury.
MLB News:
- The Phillies could be a somewhat surprising landing spot for Blake Snell.
- Alexia Jorge made history as the first female to start at catcher in a collegiate game.
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After Frustrating Injuries, Chris Sale Shows Optimistic Signs For the Atlanta Braves
Not with a retirement but a somewhat surprising trade to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom, someone the Red Sox hope will become their long-term second baseman.
Over the weekend, both players trended for differing reasons. On Saturday, Grissom was shelved with a “slight” left groin strain and it is an injury not expected to be serious but serious enough to prompt manager Alex Cora to say he is doubtful to start the season on time.
“I want to be what I’m supposed to be for this team and to make all that work in the offseason worth it,” Sale told reporters in North Port, Fla. Sunday. “There’s still some work to do. There’s still some things to iron out. But I like where we’re at and the trajectory we’re on.”
The trade represents differing mindsets for both teams.
Sale is one of the final members of the 2018 championship team to leave Boston with only Rafael Devers still around and entering the second season of his 10-year deal, the third baseman is hoping his front office does more to improve a team coming off consecutive 78-win seasons.
Grissom is viewed as a possible young piece to go along with the various prospects the red Sox are touting and the Braves had enough major league pieces to feel confident in trading him.
And in getting Sale, the Braves are hopeful he is the pitcher who can get them over the hump and through a Division Series.
In 2022, Atlanta was the defending World Series champion and pitched to a 5.82 ERA against the Phillies after beating the Mets out for the Division title on the final weekend. Last year it was 4.50 against the Phillies in the Division Series.
Sale in essence is a bargain for the Braves, who are hoping he has something left in the final year of a $160 million six-year deal he signed with the Red Sox in March 2019. When the trade was finalized, the AP revealed the cost for the Braves is about $500,000 and the Red Sox are paying the Braves two installments of $8.5 million on April 1 and July 1.
And shortly after getting the financial assistance from the Red Sox, the Braves reworked Sale’s contract for two years, $38 million, which includes a 2026 club option, especially since his 3.92 ERA in his final nine starts of last season were deemed encouraging.
Sale’s initial deal with the Red Sox was signed after he threw the final pitch of the 2018 World Series by striking out Manny Machado at Dodger Stadium and it was a deal agreed to by current Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski, who would be fired late at night in September 2019. Dombrowski gave up three prospects to get Sale following the 2016 season and then Sale made 56 starts under the new deal.
He missed all of the pandemic 2020 season and then did not return until Aug. 2021. In 2022 he made two starts because he did not make his season debut until July due to a fractured rib and then broke a finger on a line drive by Aaron Hicks on July 17 at Yankee Stadium.
Still the results over the final two months were encouraging enough for the Braves to acquire Sale to join forces with young stars Spencer Strider and Max Fried. And the early returns are positive just like they are with Luis Severino and the Mets.
“Just don’t (stink) and they’ll like it,” Sale joked to reporters. “I’ve seen it firsthand on the other side.”
And the other side is the frustration of not being able to be on the field due to the litany of injuries, just like Severino’s recent seasons with the Yankees.
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