Ronald Acuña has warning for Braves after first game back
By Mark Powell
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña had a warning for Braves manager Brian Snitker after his first game back — don’t try to give him days off.
Acuña’s thought is a good one, and it’s that he wants to contribute as much as he can to the Braves while he can. Atlanta is just a few months removed from winning the World Series — a postseason run Acuña had little to do with given he missed the final few months of the season and the playoffs.
So, now that Freddie Freeman is gone and the team got off to a rough start this season, Acuña feels as though it is his time to shine.
It won't be easy for the Braves to convince Acuña he's not ready to play on an everyday basis. Tonight, he said, “I don’t know who said the plan was for me not to play. The way I’m looking at it is that I’m playing tomorrow. So, I guess we’ll see what happens.”
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 29, 2022
Acuña returned with a bang, recording a base hit and two stolen bases to help the Braves win their first series of the year.
“I was just extremely excited,” he said through an interpreter. “I think the adrenaline level was at a maximum. Those first few at-bats, I couldn’t contain myself. Hopefully it’s just tip of the iceberg.”
Braves: Ronald Acuña wants no days off
Acuña will get days off in the outfield, at least. The good news, however, is that Atlanta can employ him as the DH if they want.
Still, Snitker claims Acuña will not play on travel days or in day games after night games.
“I don’t know who said the plan is for me not to play,” Acuña said. “The way I’m looking at it, I’m playing tomorrow.”
We’ll see what Snit has to say about that.
Next. Against All Odds: Ronald Acuña and the Braves chase history. dark