Acu?a hits homer, then declares: 'I'm back'
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NORTH PORT, Fla. -- With the final swing of his batting-practice session on Monday afternoon, Ronald Acu?a Jr. connected with a pitch, took a couple steps toward the first-base dugout and yelled, ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± just before the baseball ricocheted off the scoreboard located beyond the left-field wall at CoolToday Park.
¡°He looked really good, really good,¡± Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ¡°I think he¡¯s right where they want him to be. It was pretty impressive what he did out there.¡±
Eight months after tearing his right ACL, Acu?a is again starting to look like the young superstar he has become since making his MLB debut in 2018. The 24-year-old spent the winter working out and rehabbing in Los Angeles.
¡°If it was up to me, I¡¯d say I¡¯ll be ready for Opening Day,¡± Acu?a said through an interpreter. ¡°But we all know that is not up to me. Either way, I¡¯m just going to be ready for whenever the trainers and medical staff and everyone tell me I can play.¡±
Acu?a may not be cleared to play before the Braves open the upcoming season against the Reds on April 7 at Truist Park. But over the next few weeks, he¡¯s going to do all he can to convince the Braves he doesn¡¯t need to miss more than a small part of the season¡¯s first month.
¡°He's young and strong,¡± Snitker said. ¡°There's a point when guys are coming off Tommy John surgeries that they feel really strong. It¡¯s the same with this knee surgery. You¡¯ve got to trust the medical advice and follow the plan, because we want him to stay healthy throughout the year.¡±
Acu?a has spent the past couple of months taking batting practice, and he has already completed both defensive and baserunning drills.
¡°I¡¯ve done it all,¡± Acu?a said. ¡°I think all that¡¯s left is playing.¡±