Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider are not expected to be ready from their injuries in time for Atlanta’s season opener against San Diego on March 27.
Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, tore his left ACL on May 26 and had surgery on June 6 to repair it.
Strider, a 26-year-old right-hander, had surgery on April 12 to fix his pitching elbow. Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019, and he said this latest procedure used an internal brace.’
“I think with both guys, I don’t think it’s significant time, but I think we’re confident that opening day is not realistic for them,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Tuesday at the general managers meetings.
“I think, look, once we get to spring, you get to the beginning of February, you’ll have a much better idea on timelines. We’re planning that they will not be part of the opening-day roster, and how soon after that, we’ll know more as we get deeper into the offseason.”
