Atlanta Braves

To hear Ronald Acuña Jr. tell it, there may be some double standards happening on the Atlanta Braves.

Jarred Kelenic's lack of hustle during a play in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins generated plenty of discussion in the aftermath since manager Brian Snitker did not bench him for being thrown out at second base after he admired what he thought would be a home run.

As Foul Territory shared, Acuña said he would have been taken out of the contest even though Kelenic wasn't:

While Atlanta ended up winning 4-3 thanks to a strong performance from its bullpen and a go-ahead RBI single from Alex Verdugo, Kelenic's play was a costly one in the moment since the game was tied at three.

It likely cost the Braves a run at least because Verdugo's single came in the very next at-bat.

There is probably a reason Acuña said what he said.

After all, Snitker benched Acuña during a game in 2019 when he admired what he thought would be a home run, only to settle for a single due to the lack of hustle. He was then thrown out attempting to steal second base in the aftermath of his first mistake.

The outfielder accepted responsibility in 2019 when he told reporters there was "no excuse" for it:

As for Kelenic, it appears he escaped any punishment for his mistake. The Braves revealed their starting lineup for Sunday's contest, and he is starting in right field and hitting eighth. 

Fortunately for the Braves, it hasn't cost them a game in the series against Minnesota. They are going for the sweep in Sunday's contest, which is a welcome change for the National League East team following a 5-13 start to the season.

Part of the issue is that Acuña is yet to play this season as he recovers from his torn ACL that required surgery. It was his second torn ACL, as he also missed time in 2021 because of a torn ACL.

Major League Baseball announced Monday it suspended Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy.

According to the announcement, he tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG).

MLB insider Mike Rodriguez and ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported that Profar was suspended.

The Braves released a statement that said, "We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience." 

Profar also released a statement that called Monday "the most difficult day of my career" while also apologizing to his team, teammates and fans:

While the timing of the suspension means Profar will be able to return at some point during the 2025 season, he will not be able to help the Braves in the playoffs should they qualify.

That is because the league's rulebook states "all players who have served a suspension for PEDs in a given season are ineligible for postseason play that year."

This is surely not what the Braves envisioned when they signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract this offseason after he previously played for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post highlighted the financial ramifications of the suspension:

He landed that contract after he was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with San Diego while slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI. His presence in the lineup helped lead the Padres to the playoffs and a 93-69 record.

Profar made his major league debut in 2012, but his 2024 campaign was an outlier given his previous production. It was the first time he surpassed the 20-home run mark, and he also set a career high with a 3.6 wins above replacement total.

The 2022 season is the only other time he finished with a WAR above 1.5, per Baseball Reference.

Profar was off to a slow start this season with a .200/.250/.200 slash line, zero home runs and zero RBI through the first four games, but he was still expected to be a key part of Atlanta's lineup.

Instead, the National League East club will need to adjust to playing without him for 80 games. Perhaps that was a contributing factor to Monday's announcement from the Cincinnati Reds revealing they traded outfielder Stuart Fairchild to the Braves for cash considerations.

Atlanta starts a three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday they agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo.

Atlanta optioned him to its Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, with Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporting the deal allowed for one minor league demotion.

Verdugo made 149 appearances for the New York Yankees in 2024, finishing with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and a .233/.291/356 slash line. It was his worst offensive season since his rookie year in 2017. His .283 wOBA and 83 wRC+ were below well below his career averages, per FanGraphs.

Still, the lack of interest in Verdugo across MLB was a surprise. The Athletic's Brendan Kuty reported Tuesday he had yet to receive a single offer.

The eight-year veteran offers value as a defender. He has experience at all three outfield positions and has displayed a strong glove throughout his career.

Verdugo's home-and-road splits also point to how he might benefit from a change of scenery. He had a .628 OPS in 300 plate appearances at Yankee Stadium and a .665 OPS away from the Bronx. Not all left-handed batters see their numbers improve with the short porch in right field.

For the Braves, signing Verdugo doesn't come with much downside and he gives depth to an outfield with some question marks.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is coming back from a second ACL tear. Jurickson Profar's 2024 performance was a massive outlier, so some regression could be in store. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz aren't much better than Verdugo.

With so many options at his disposal now, manager Brian Snitker should be able to find a combination that works until Acuña is healthy again.

Craig Kimbrel is reportedly heading to a familiar team.

The veteran closer agreed to a new deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

ESPN's Jeff Passan added more details for Kimbrel's deal with the team he played for during the first five years of his career:

This comes after his time with the Baltimore Orioles came to a rather unceremonious end when they designated him for assignment in September 2024. He posted a 5.33 ERA and 23 saves in 57 appearances during a 2024 campaign that was defined by inconsistency.

Kimbrel tallied a 2.10 ERA up to July 7 but then finished with an 11.50 ERA in 19 games from July 14 to Sept. 17.

Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac provided the financial details behind the decision to DFA the right-hander:

Struggling to live up to expectations with Baltimore was another development in what has been an up-and-down few years for the closer. He signed with the Chicago Cubs during the 2019 season but finished with a 6.53 ERA that year before tallying a 5.28 ERA in 2020.

However, he was then an All-Star in 2021 with a 0.49 ERA in 39 appearances for the Cubs before he reverted back to his struggles with a 5.09 ERA in 24 appearances down the stretch for the Chicago White Sox after the North Siders traded him to the American League Central team.

Kimbrel was solid in 2022 for the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 3.75 ERA and then an All-Star in 2023 for the Philadelphia Phillies before his 2024 issues with the Orioles.

Still, he is one of the best relief pitchers of his generation with a resume that includes a Rookie of the Year, nine All-Star selections and a World Series crown. He was nearly automatic with a 1.43 ERA across the first five seasons of his career on the Braves from 2010 through 2014 and was an All-Star in three straight campaigns from 2016 through 2018 for the Boston Red Sox.

The 2018 Red Sox won the World Series.

It is not realistic for the Braves to expect the peak version of Kimbrel at this stage of his career considering he is 36 years old and coming off quite an inconsistent stretch. But something like the 2023 All-Star version would surely be acceptable for Atlanta with this reunion.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. won't be ready for the start of the 2025 MLB season as he recovers from a torn ACL, but there's a timeline in place for him to get back on the diamond.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Acuña's return could come in early- to mid-May.

Feinsand noted the Braves have a "general idea" when Acuña will be back, but they are not divulging that information publicly to avoid creating expectations in the event he suffers a setback.

Acuña tore the ACL in his left knee when his leg buckled as he was bluffing a move to third base in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26. He previously tore the ACL in his right knee during the 2021 season.

All indications from Braves camp right now are that Acuña looks great. He was hitting tape-measure homers in the batting cage back in February.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told reporters in November that both Acuña and Spencer Strider, who had Tommy John surgery in April 2024, would not be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

Anthopoulos noted Strider will likely be back before Acuña.

"The fact that they're very active participants basically throughout the spring is a good sign," Anthopoulos said. "Without having a date right now, we're definitely on the shorter end, Strider more so than Ronald."

Jarred Kelenic will likely be Atlanta's starter in right field until Acuña returns.

The 27-year-old Acuña was named NL MVP for the 2023 season. He won the award after hitting a career-high .337/.416/.596 with 41 homers and 73 stolen bases. His 114 combined homers and stolen bases is the second-highest single-season total in MLB history.

After being one of the best free-agent bargains last offseason, Jurickson Profar is reportedly joining a new team.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Profar is finalizing a contract with the Atlanta Braves. Per Passan, the two sides agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal.

Profar signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres for $1 million last offseason. He finished the 2023 season with the club after being released by the Colorado Rockies.

The Padres named Profar their starting left fielder going into 2024. He rewarded their faith in him with the best season of his career. The 31-year-old hit .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers and 85 RBI in 158 games and earned his first All-Star selection.

This is what was expected of Profar when he was coming up through the minors with the Texas Rangers. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in MLB going into the 2013 season.

A shoulder injury that kept him out for all 2014 derailed the early part of Profar's career. He didn't become a full-time player for the Rangers until 2018, and the Rangers traded him to the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2019 season.

Profar's first stint with the Padres from 2020 to '22 was the first time he showed any hint of being the player who was a revered prospect. His 114 OPS+ in the 2020 season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic was his career high at that point.

Given how much of an outlier last season was with the rest of his career, Profar could be a prime regression candidate in 2025. However, there are reasons to believe he can carry his 2024 performance over to next season and beyond.

Per Baseball Savant, Profar ranked in the 88th percentile or better in strikeout rate, walk rate, chase rate and whiff rate. His hard-hit rate of 44.4 percent was the best of his career.

If all of those elements remain intact going forward, Profar will be at least close to the player he was last season for the Padres. It's a risk for the Braves to bet on, but one worth taking in a free-agent class that didn't have many impact position players available.

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale revealed that he was planning to retire at the end of the 2024 season before he was traded from the Boston Red Sox.

"Before I got traded last offseason, we were really kind of planning that this year was probably going to be my last year playing," Sale explained in an interview with Foul Territory TV.

The Braves acquired the 35-year-old in December 2023 by sending infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Red Sox.

Sale earned the first Cy Young Award of his career on Wednesday.

He wrapped up an incredible regular season in his first year with the Braves, compiling a record of 18-3 in 29 starts. Sale led the majors with a 2.38 ERA and had a 1.013 WHIP as well. He also struck out 225 batters while issuing only 39 walks in 177.2 innings of work.

Sale wasn't on Atlanta's roster during its Wild Card Series loss to the San Diego Padres due to back spasms, but his presence throughout the regular season was crucial for a Braves team that dealt with a season-ending UCL injury to All-Star Spencer Strider in April.

Sale made seven consecutive All-Star appearances of his own from 2012 through 2018. He then missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and struggled to stay healthy upon his return.

During his final three years in Boston from 2021-23, Sale made only 31 total starts and posted an ERA of just 3.93. That included an uninspiring 4.30 ERA in the season prior to his trade to Atlanta.

While it was aided by the move, the decision not to retire ultimately paid off for Sale.

With Strider and star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. set to return in 2025 following season-ending injuries, Sale is expected to be an important piece of a Braves team with postseason aspirations once again.

Chris Sale's Hall of Fame odds improved when he won his first Cy Young Award on Wednesday, but the Atlanta Braves pitcher isn't concerned with earning a spot in Cooperstown right now.

Per The Athletic's David O'Brien, Sale joked about being in the same conversation with Braves Cy Young Award winners and Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz before rebuffing the idea that being included with those names can increase his Hall of Fame chances.

"I've got a lot of work to do if that's the case," Sale said. "And I'm not going to sit here and look at this big, giant mountain in front of me, I'm just going to start climbing it, right? So my job is to go out there and give my team a chance to win. And I want to be able to do that to the best of my ability. I mean, heck, I had the first healthy season in, like, five years, and now we're talking about Hall of Fame?"

"I'm just appreciative I got through this one and I want to enjoy this moment and soak it in."

As Sale mentioned, he played his first fully healthy season since 2019 this year. He did not disappoint in his debut season with the Braves, posting the best ERA in the majors at 2.38, the second-most strikeouts with 225 and the sixth-best WHIP at 1.01. He also was tied for the best record in baseball at 18-3 in 29 appearances.

In 2024, Atlanta lost star Ronald Acuña Jr. after just 49 games due to a torn ACL and had several other key players deal with a handful of injuries. Despite the adversity, the Braves ended up reaching a wild-card series thanks in large part to Sale.

If he can follow up his big year with another dominant season on the mound, Sale could be on his way to his second World Series and give his Hall of Fame odds another significant boost.

The Major League Baseball offseason just began, but the Atlanta Braves already know they will be without multiple marquee names at the start of the 2025 campaign.

"We're planning on not having them on the Opening Day roster," Braves president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday when discussing Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider, per David O'Brien of The Athletic.

"How soon after that, we'll see how that goes. And as we get closer and get into spring training, we'll probably be able to update that."

Acuña suffered a torn ACL that required surgery in May, while Strider underwent internal-brace elbow surgery in April.

This is not the first major injury for either of them.

Acuña also underwent ACL surgery in his other knee in 2021, while Strider underwent Tommy John surgery when he was still in college in 2019. Given that backdrop, it comes as no surprise the Braves are going to take their time when it comes to their returns.

O'Brien noted Anthopoulos previously said Acuña might not be activated until a month or two into the 2025 season, while Strider was expected back early in the campaign.

Atlanta starts the 2025 season on the road against the San Diego Padres on March 27. Its home opener is on April 4 against the division-rival Miami Marlins.

When healthy, Acuña is one of the best players in the entire league with a resume that includes the 2023 National League MVP, the 2018 NL Rookie of the Year, three Silver Slugger awards and four All-Star Game nods.

He played just 49 games this past season but was unstoppable in 2023 while slashing .337/.416/.596 with 41 home runs, 106 RBI and 73 stolen bases. That he was able to play at such a high level despite his previous ACL injury suggests he can do so again in 2025 and beyond.

As for Strider, he made just two starts in 2024, which prevented him from building on his 2023 All-Star campaign that saw him post a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a league-best 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings.

Despite the absence of two of their best players, the Braves still finished in second place in the National League East before losing in the Wild Card Round to the Padres.

While they will need to tread water some in the start of the 2025 campaign without them, the eventual return of Strider and Acuña should help them challenge for another postseason appearance next year.