Ronald Acuna

Though it was highly-anticipated, baseball fans everywhere let out a collective groan on Monday when the Braves reassigned top prospect Ronald Acuna to minor league camp. Far from fact.

From a business perspective, sure it makes all the sense in the world for the team to send him down. By keeping him at Triple-A Gwinnett for two weeks to begin the season, they’ll gain an extra season of team control of the budding superstar.

Braves’ general manager Alex Anthopoulos can’t publicly admit as much, but that’s clearly the reason that Acuna isn’t going to be in the team’s Opening Day lineup after lighting the world on fire this spring. The 20-year-old hit .432/.519/.727 with four homers, 11 RBI and four stolen bases in 52 plate appearances over 16 Grapefruit League contests. Once again, starting the clock.

 

Here’s what Anthopoulos had to say on the record about it, "We don't set time frames or anything like that… I know a lot gets made of that. Right now, it's just go down and play and get in a routine. He's obviously looked very good. We just want him to get into the flow, keep doing what he was doing and he'll find his way back here, hopefully very soon."

Had he made the Opening Day on the roster and remained at the big league level throughout his career, Acuna would be eligible for free agency following the 2022 season. By simply keeping him in the minor leagues until April 13, they keep him under team control through the 2023 campaign.

The Braves and Anthopoulos can try to spin it all they want how it’s best for the player’s development to get a little more seasoning at the minor league level, but the fact of the matter is that the system is flawed and is clearly being manipulated. Acuna belongs in the major leagues and would certainly help the Braves win games right out of the gate. Here's hoping for an early return.

Down goes Turner

The Dodgers were dealt a major blow on Monday when Justin Turner was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist. He suffered the injury when he was drilled by a pitch by A’s right-hander Kendall Graveman during Monday night’s Cactus League contest.

Turner will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. As of now, there’s no clear timetable for a possible return. Turner will visit with a local hand specialist on Tuesday do determine the course of action and to shed some light on how much time he stands to miss.

Dodgers’ general manager Farhan Zaidi said late Monday that this type of injury is “usually on the order of weeks” and that surgery usually isn’t necessary. Zaidi also noted that the club isn’t exploring any external options to cover for Turner as they are confident in their internal depth.

Zaidi noted, "But the next thought, practically, is what it means for the team, and as far as that goes, we have some very capable guys who are going to be given a chance to seize an opportunity. We feel very confident staying in-house with this one and the hope is we're not missing him too long."

Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts said that his initial thought was to shift Logan Forsythe over to third base while having Chase Utley and Kike Hernandez platoon at second. The club could also utilize backup catcher Austin Barnes at second base on occasion.

Turner, who was drilled by a team-high 19 pitches during the 2017 season, was extremely disappointed after hearing the diagnosis. The 33-year-old told reporters, "It didn't feel good," he said. "Definitely not what I wanted to hear. It started to feel better getting the X-ray and I was hoping it would come back negative. Then you get the news, it's tough.”

For at least the first few weeks of the regular season, the Dodgers and Turner’s fantasy owners alike, will have to rely on their depth and manage without their star third baseman.

National League Quick Hits: Trea Turner had to sit out Monday’s Grapefruit League game due to an ingrown toenail… Marlins’ catcher J.T. Realmuto (back) said he was confident that he’ll be ready for Opening Day… Julio Teheran was named as the Braves’ Opening Day starter… Mark Leiter Jr. was sent back to Philadelphia to undergo tests for forearm tightness… Marlins’ manager Don Mattingly admitted that he’s considering using Lewis Brinson out of the leadoff spot in his lineup… The Reds reassigned top prospect Nick Senzel to minor league camp… Steven Matz fanned nine over six innings of two-run ball against the Astros...Jon Gray punched out nine over 6 ⅓ innings of shutout baseball against the Rangers.

American League Quick Hits: Angels’ hurler Andrew Heaney will miss his next scheduled start due to elbow inflammation. He has already undergone an MRI which ruled out any ligament damage...Tigers’ top prospect Franklin Perez will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks due to a right lat strain...The Rangers claimed Tommy Joseph off of waivers from the Phillies, but general manager Jon Daniels indicated that it was unlikely he would crack the Opening Day roster… The Indians released struggling outfielder Melvin Upton Jr… Bradley Zimmer was scratched from Monday’s Cactus League contest due to a mild left groin strain...Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) will not be ready in time for Opening Day… Tigers’ skipper Ron Gardenhire tabbed Michael Fulmer for the second game of the regular season… Santiago Casilla has been sidelined for the past week due to tightness in his right shoulder...The Athletics finalized their one-year, $1.5 million contract with Trevor Cahill… Felix Hernandez (forearm) threw 40 pitches over three innings in a minor league game and could still make his Opening Day start… The Royals inked Clay Buchholz to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He’ll earn $1.5 if he makes the big league roster… Mallex Smith (hamstring) will return to action in a minor league game on Tuesday… Justin Verlander fired seven shutout innings against the Mets… Yonder Alonso went 3-for-3 and clubbed a homer in a victory over the Giants.