Acuña will miss the entire preseason with Bravos

FORT MYERS, Florida, USA (AP) - Ronañd Acuña Jr., outfielder of the Atlanta Braves, will not participate in the preseason, even as a designated hitter, and will miss at least the first month of the regular season.

“No, we won't see him in the preseason,” said manager Brian Snitker on Tuesday, following Atlanta's 4-0 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Venezuelan, who is recovering from a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered in the middle of last season, expressed at the beginning of the preseason his hope that he will be ready for April 7, when Atlanta, champion of the last World Series, will open his new season.

There was speculation that the adoption of the designated batsman in the National League would allow Acuña to return to the lineup ahead of schedule, not having to play in the outfield.

Instead, the Braves privileged caution in the rehabilitation process of the Venezuelan, who is now the undisputed star of the club, after Freddie Freeman signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Snitker said that Acuña has not had any setbacks in her recovery process.

“Just go on with rehab,” he explained.

The Braves will have to prepare a plan in their gardens without Acuña for the start of the season.

Atlanta hired two rangers, Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario and Alex Dickerson, at the start of the preseason. He also has Marcell Acuña back with the team after being arrested the previous year on charges of aggravated assault.

Police officers said they had witnessed an assault by Ozuna on his wife. The Dominican can start in left field or as a designated hitter.

The new variants will be relevant if Acuña is to be lost more time.

Although he remained firm in his plan on Acuña, Snitker said the gardener is still making progress in his recovery. The schedule includes batting work but not other activities for now.

“He's doing great,” Snitker said. “I think he's done exactly everything he needed him to do.”

Acuña had said it was ready on March 16, when the Braves opened their camp. He is expected to play eventually in the right forest.