The Atlanta Braves entered spring coaching relying on Jurickson Profar to be the reply in left area. After reportedly dodging an harm scare, that plan nonetheless appears to be on observe for Opening Day.
Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million cope with Atlanta this offseason, acquired excellent news from the CT scan that was carried out on his left wrist after he landed awkwardly whereas making an attempt to make a catch on Saturday towards the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Having flown back to Atlanta to have the CT scan carried out, Profar was diagnosed with a bone bruise and can reportedly be prepared for Opening Day when the Braves tackle the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 27.
The sport will probably carry a bit of additional significance for Profar as he spent parts of 5 seasons with the Padres, together with 14 video games throughout the 2023 season and all of final season.
It was that closing season in San Diego that skyrocketed Profar’s worth this offseason as he posted a career-high OPS+ of 134 (league common is taken into account 100) whereas slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 dwelling runs and 85 RBI, each career-highs.
Atlanta now hopes that the 32-year-old Profar will proceed that offensive pattern in his new dwelling. He’s one of the Braves who will probably be requested to attempt to fill a number of the offensive manufacturing that might be missed with beginning catcher Sean Murphy’s cracked rib suffered in a spring coaching recreation protecting him out of the lineup probably effectively previous Opening Day.
The excellent news surrounding Profar additionally vastly advantages Atlanta’s outfield depth. Former Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months and Most Worthwhile Participant Ronald Acuna Jr., who will slide in because the beginning proper fielder for the Braves, is pushing to return to the lineup on Could 1 as he continues to get well from left knee surgical procedure wanted to restore a torn ACL he suffered close to the tip of final Could.
Till Acuna returns, Jarred Kelenic is anticipated to see fairly a little bit of time in proper area. Had Profar been out of the Opening Day lineup, the Braves might need began an outfield consisting of Kelenic, Michael Harris II in middle area and Bryan De La Cruz.
