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Should Braves Be Concerned For Freddie Freeman & Ronald Acuna?

By Deke Lloyd

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The injury-bug has flared its ugly head for the Atlanta Braves with Freddie Freeman sidelined with an elbow injury. Ronald Acuna exited the game after the first inning of last night’s game with hip pain. Is there cause for concern for the Braves?

After clinching the NL East on Friday, Freddie Freeman was feeling some discomfort in his elbow due to bone spurs, a problem he has dealt with in the past. Earlier in the season, in Washington, Freeman exited from a game early due to the irritation in his elbow. With their playoff spot locked up, the Braves decided to leave Freeman at home to rest and heal. The plan, so far, is Freeman will be back with the Braves on Friday for their final series of the season with the New York Mets.

Last night, the Braves opened their two-game series with the Kansas City Royals. The Braves would go on to lose, but the more troubling takeaway from the game was Ronald Acuna exiting the game after the first inning with hip pain. As of this today, there has been no report other than Acuna is day-to-day. Brian Snitker was said to call this, “wait and see mode”.

Now, the question is going into the NLDS on October 3rd, should the Braves be concerned for the health of their two superstar players? If I had to guess whether both Freeman and Acuna will be on the field for the Braves for the NLDS, I would say a definitive yes.

Freeman has dealt with bone spurs in his elbow this season and in past seasons. Leaving Freeman at home for the Kansas City series should give him enough time to feel right for the playoffs next week. Acuna will likely miss the final game of the Kansas City series to get some rest and will be back for the weekend series with the Mets.

The injuries flaring up towards the end of the season can be a good thing for Freeman and Acuna. After having such good, record-setting seasons, it’s wise for these two to take a few days off before the grind of the playoffs. The Braves may miss out on 100 wins, or Acuna may not reach his 40-40 season, or Freeman may not lead the league in RBI, and that’s fine. The goal for this team is a postseason success, namely winning their NLDS series. The only thing that matters is Acuna and Freeman being on the field next Thursday when the Braves take the field for the opening game of the playoffs.

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