The Atlanta Braves announced on Sunday night that outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning National League Most Valuable Player Award winner, will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a complete tear of his ACL. Acuña’s injury occurred during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he attempted to redirect his momentum while running the bases. This is the third time in his career he’s been sidelined because of an ACL-related injury, having previously missed a month in 2018 and then significantly more time in 2021-22.
The Braves, who will enter Monday six games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East, do not have many great internal options. They have Adam Duvall on their active roster, and three players with outfield experience who are stationed in Triple-A and on their 40-player roster: J.P. Martínez, who was recalled Monday, Forrest Wall, and Luke Williams. It’s fair to think, then, that they’ll be on the lookout for some external help between now and Major League Baseball’s July 30 trade deadline.
Just who might the Braves target? Let’s take a look at five early potential names. Do note that this is more of an art than a science, and that there’s still a long way to go until the mad season begins. (Additionally, the players are represented in no particular order.)
1. Tommy Pham, Chicago White Sox
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