{"id":33158,"date":"2025-02-11T06:13:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T06:13:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=33158"},"modified":"2025-02-11T06:13:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T06:13:52","slug":"breaking-news-acuna-strider-sale-among-big-storylines-at-braves-spring-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=33158","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS: Acu\u00f1a, Strider, Sale among big storylines at Braves spring camp"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NORTH PORT, Fla. — Remember how quickly you were ready to put an injury-filled 2024 season behind you and be reminded of how good the Braves can be when healthy? Well, the page has turned to 2025 and Atlanta fans can reunite with the World Series hopes they had before a multitude of significant injuries wrecked last year\u2019s dreams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Can the Braves bounce back to reclaim National League East dominance and make a run toward their first World Series title since 2021? The PECOTA projections from Baseball Prospectus\u00a0confirm the analytics\u00a0and believe both goals could be realized.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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PECOTA projects the Braves to have a 9 percent chance to win the World Series, matching the Yankees\u2019 odds. The only team with better odds? The Dodgers at 22 percent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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So the Braves again look strong on paper. But after seeing six members of their Opening Day lineup miss at least two months last year, this is not a team that will take anything for granted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As Braves pitchers and catchers prepare for their first workout on Wednesday, here are three top storylines we\u2019ll follow during Spring Training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. When will Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. and Spencer Strider return?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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We know both superstars will begin the season on the injured list and we know both are going to push to be activated as early as possible. Strider has been completing bullpen sessions and may be permitted to throw in at least one game before the end of Spring Training. If he doesn\u2019t have any setbacks in his recovery from elbow surgery, he could rejoin Atlanta\u2019s rotation by the end of April. His progress throughout camp will create a lot of excitement.<\/p>\n

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The same can be said about Acu\u00f1a, who tore his right ACL near the end of May. There\u2019s a chance he won\u2019t return before the second half of May. Does he need a full year to recover? Well, remember he tore his left ACL in July 2021 and returned by the end of April 2022. The 2023 NL MVP battled discomfort throughout that season. So it won\u2019t be surprising to see the Braves give their right fielder extra time to ensure he won\u2019t have any lingering issues after he returns. Regardless, there will be a lot of attention placed on him as he aims to regain his place as a top MVP candidate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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