Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., after a wild offseason, has seemingly had a change of heart about playing in the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela.
It seemed like a matter that was settled concerning Ronald Acuña Jr.’s status for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The Atlanta Braves doctors and training staff had indicated to the superstar outfielder, essentially, that it would be best for the status of his surgically repaired knee if he didn’t participate in the upcoming WBC.
More importantly, Acuña had seemingly agreed with this as well, putting his MLB team in the Braves above playing for his native Venezuela.
So that made the news on Wednesday night from David O’Brien of The Athletic that Acuña had been cleared by doctors to play in the World Baseball Classic that much more surprising. And based on O’Brien’s reporting and the fact that Acuña did indicate he wished he could play in the WBC, it seems as if that’s what he’s going to do.
Make no mistake, the hope for Braves fans is that Acuña puts on a superstar performance. But that doesn’t make this drastic change any less concerning.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s drastic change for World Baseball Classic should concern Braves fans
Obviously, the biggest concern about Ronald Acuña Jr. suiting up for Venezuela in the WBC is his health. Yes, the doctors have cleared him. However, for a player who looked still hampered by the injury he suffered in the 2021 season throughout much of last year, that won’t ease every worry.
In addition to the injury, though, it can’t be forgotten that Acuña also submitted perhaps the worst season of his young MLB career as he returned from injury. He posted a career-low OPS+ of 114, had by far the lowest home-run rate of his career, and was maddeningly inconsistent.
While he will be getting reps with Venezuela, you have to be it would be more valuable for the 2023 Braves if he was getting those reps in Spring Training in Florida with the majority of his teammates.
All in all, the concern about this move could turn out to be nothing. Given the drastic nature of it, though, it’s warranted to be a little scared about the WBC and Acuña.