As far as fans are concerned, it’s difficult to find positives in the lockout, but there are a couple for the Braves. They had several key pieces recovering from significant injuries, and the delayed season will allow them some extra time to heal up. It’s still highly unlikely Ronald Acuña Jr. is ready for Opening Day after suffering a torn ACL last July, but Charlie Morton could be ready to contribute immediately. According to Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman, the veteran right-hander is progressing well in his recovery.
Top Braves topics
1) May learn Freddie’s future within the next few days
2) Sounds like Charlie Morton (fractured fibula) is progressing well
3) Acuña’s return remains TBD. But we know he’ll now be available for more of the 162-game season than he would have w/ original sked— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 11, 2022
Of course, point #1 on Bowman’s list will catch the eyes of most Braves fans, but that shouldn’t be news to anyone. I expect Freeman’s future to be decided very soon.
As far as Acuña and Morton, it will probably be at least until the middle of May before we see Acuña. Anything prior to that would be nothing short of amazing, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I mean, we are talking about one of the best young athletes to walk this planet. Morton, on the other hand, should be ready to begin the season. The Braves will take things slowly with him, but the plan was for him to always be ready by the start of Spring Training. Now that he has some extra time, he should have no problem pitching in the first series of the season, assuming there are no setbacks.
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