Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. likely ready for Opening Day

Reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to be in Atlanta's lineup for Opening Day following testing on his sore right knee.

No structural or serious issues were discovered but the Braves said in a statement Tuesday that "irritation in the meniscus" was the cause of the knee discomfort according to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who examined Acuna in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Acuna, 26, was approved for gradual upramp of baseball activities with a target of being ready for Opening Day on March 28 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

He tweaked the knee in a rundown during a spring training game with the Minnesota Twins last week.

ElAttrache is the surgeon who repaired Acuna's right knee following a season-ending injury in 2021.

The first player in MLB history to accomplish a 40-home run, 70-steal season, Acuna has 161 home runs and 180 steals since making his debut with the Braves in 2018. He's a four-time All-Star and was the unanimous NL MVP in 2023.