Injuries & Moves: Braves reassign six
LATEST NEWS
March 18: C Drake Baldwin, C Chadwick Tromp, INF David Fletcher, INF Andrew Velazquez, INF Luke Williams and OF Eli White reassigned to Minor League camp
This latest set of moves sets the stage for Forrest Wall to make the Opening Day roster. There was some thought the final bench spot would be given to Williams because the player filling that spot is seldom used. This would have allowed Wall to remain ready by getting regular at-bats with Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves decided to instead reward Wall for the great camp he has had. Fletcher will also continue to play every day in case he is needed to fill one of the two middle-infield spots.
March 17: SS Orlando Arcia day to day with left hand contusion
Arcia received good news when an X-ray on his left hand showed no fracture. Arcia exited Sunday’s split-squad game against Boston after his hand was hit by a pitch.
March 16: RHP Huascar Ynoa (elbow) makes spring debut versus Pirates
Ynoa, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2022 and missed the entire '23 season, entered in relief Saturday night in the seventh inning against the Pirates. The 25-year-old threw 14 pitches in a scoreless frame, striking out one batter looking and allowing one hit. Ynoa, whose average fastball when healthy topped nearly 96 mph, ramped up to 94 Saturday night. In 13 Major League appearances from 2019-22, Ynoa has a 5.22 ERA across 122 1/3 innings with 128 strikeouts to 45 walks.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Huascar Ynoa (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly April
Ynoa hit an important milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, pitching a scoreless inning against the Pirates on Saturday. The right-hander may eventually become a rotation or bullpen candidate in Atlanta. But he likely won’t be available until the latter half of April. (Last updated: March 16)
LHP Tyler Matzek (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly Opening Day
Matzek’s fastball was clocked between 91-94 mph during his second spring appearance March 1. That was down just a couple of ticks from where he was when he was healthy during the 2020 and ’21 seasons. The Braves will continue to monitor his progress to decide whether he will be ready for Opening Day. (Last updated: March 4)
RHP Ian Anderson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: June or July
Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023. He is still going through the rehab process and won’t be ready to pitch before June. (Last updated: March 4)
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. (meniscus irritation)
Expected return: TBD
Acuña, who tweaked his right knee while in a rundown between second and third base on Feb. 29, underwent an MRI on March 2, which showed irritation around his meniscus. This is the same knee that was surgically repaired when he tore his ACL in 2021.
Acuña took batting practice on March 1 and was in the lineup before being scratched. The team expects him to be ready for Opening Day, but the reigning NL MVP will travel to California to be evaluated by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on March 4. (Last updated: March 2)
LHP Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Lee battled shoulder discomfort throughout the 2023 season, but he is among the top candidates for one of the final bullpen spots this year. (Last updated: Feb. 27)