MVP Ronald Acuña and 20-game winner Spencer Strider both making progress for return with Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., right, walks off the field with a trainer after being injured while running the bases during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. took batting practice at spring training Thursday, and right-hander Spencer Strider has already thrown a side session this week at their Florida camp.

While neither the unanimous 2023 NL MVP nor the 20-game winner from that same season are expected to be ready for Atlanta’s opener while recovering from injuries, manager Brian Snitker said both are making good progress to be ready early this season.

“We’re going to make two really big trades at some point in time early in the season and get, you know, an All-Star and a potential Cy Young Award winner back,” Snitker told MLB Network.
Snitker said both players are on their own programs “because they are still in rehab.”