One noticeable aspect about the Braves lineup recently is that Acuña has not been playing in the field. Yesterday was the sixth straight game that he’s been used as the designated hitter, and according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, that will likely continue to be the case heading into the postseason.
This is the sixth straight game Acuña has been used as a DH. The Braves have determined keeping him out of the outfield will lessen strain on his knee. He could occasionally play RF over the next few weeks. They just want him to enter October healthy.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 7, 2022
This is a no-brainer decision by the Braves, who need Acuña to be at the top of his game if they want to repeat as champions. They already have enough problems in the outfield as is.
With that being said, I’m hopeful Acuña will feel comfortable enough in the outfield for the postseason. He’s still a pretty good defender in right field, but beyond that, it gives Brian Snitker a lot more flexibility with his lineup, allowing him to DH someone like Travis d’Arnaud or William Contreras.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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