ATLANTA (AP) 鈥 Braves star outfielder Ronald Acu帽a Jr. will have his injured left knee reevaluated next week as he works to return to the Atlanta lineup after ACL surgery last year.
Acu帽a, who tore his left ACL on May 26 and had surgery on June 6, will travel to Los Angeles for the checkup, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Thursday.
Acu帽a has been taking live batting practice, but has not been cleared to do any start-and-stop running or cutting, Snitker said. The 27-year-old slugger has not run out of the batter's box in his workouts.
鈥淭hey just have to check him out and sign off on it before they can do that,鈥 Snitker said. 鈥淎nd I think this was just part of the plan initially. I don't think he's going to rush it or anything. This has been the case from the get go.鈥
Acu帽a was hurt after 49 games last season and hit just .250 with four home runs, one year after winning the National League MVP with 41 home runs, 73 steals and a .337 batting average.
鈥淚t's going to be about, just like other guys that miss spring training, getting his body in shape when he gets cleared,鈥 Snitker said.
The Braves have struggled without Acu帽a in the lineup this season. Atlanta lost nine of its first 11 games and were tied for 28th with 34 runs scored entering play Thursday.
