Back when Braves star and then-National League MVP favorite Ronald Acuña Jr. went down with a torn ACL in July, things were looking bleak for Atlanta. The Braves were 44-45 at the time and sitting in third place in the NL East standings.
But instead of selling at the deadline and conceding 2021 as a lost season, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos opted to go with a wholesale outfield makeover. With Acuña lost for the season, the Braves acquired Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler. And despite not getting over .500 until August, the Braves are in the World Series.
Still, Acuña made the trip to Houston and even Astros infielder Alex Bregman wanted to know about the Braves star’s status.
Respect. @ronaldacunajr24 🤝 @ABREG_1 pic.twitter.com/AMppBkWzrB
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2021
In a pregame video ahead of Game 1 of the World Series, we can see as Bregman greeted Acuña. Bregman then made his best effort to ask Acuña in Spanish when he was expected to return.
Acuña said that he was on track to return in May, so good on Bregman for getting the important answers here. If Acuña stays in line with that progress, he should return for the second month of the 2022 season.
And you just know all of baseball will be thrilled have him back. He’s been missed.
