The Atlanta Braves received some devastating news on Saturday. Their All-Star right-hander Spencer Strider has been diagnosed with ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) damage in his throwing hand and might be forced to miss out the rest of 2024 season.

Strider struggled in Friday night’s 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing five runs in four innings. After the game, he reported discomfort in his elbow and was sent to get an MRI, which revealed the damage.

Strider is now expected to have further consultation, but he will likely need a Tommy John surgery that will rule him out for at least 16 months.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said that the team is expected to have an update about Strider in the upcoming days.

“You hate that,” Snitker said. “You hate it for him. I feel really bad for him. I mean, the kid does everything right. Loves to compete.”

Snitker acknowledged that surgery is a real option for Strider but said that the injury shouldn’t have any long-term impact on him.

“The good news is he’ll get whatever it is fixed and come back and have a really good career,” he added.

Spencer Strider was coming off a career season in 2023 in which he made his first All-Star and All-MLB First Team. He finished the season with a 20–5 record, 286 strikeouts, and a 3.86 ERA, leading the entire MLB in wins and strikeouts.

The post Braves All-Star RHP Spencer Strider Diagnosed With UCL Damage appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Seattle Mariners have traded outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-hander Marco Gonzales, and first baseman Evan White to the Atlanta Braves. In exchange, they received right-handers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.

By offloading three players to the Braves, the Mariners will be able to free up a significant amount of future guaranteed money, particularly after sending third baseman Eugenio Suarez to Arizona earlier in the window. Suarez is earning $11 million this season.

Gonzales is recovering from surgery to rectify a nerve issue in his arm. Before being injured, the 31-year-old player went 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA in 50 innings over 10 starts this season. he is expected to earn $12 million in 2024.

Following the team’s bulk trades this winter, the Mariners have lowered their payroll from $137 million on Opening Day last season to the $110 million range.

The post Mariners Trade Three Players to the Atlanta Braves appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves added another reliever to their roster, signing Reynaldo López to a three-year deal. The $30 million agreement will see López earn $4 million in his first year and $11 million in each of the next two seasons. There is an $8 million option for 2027, along with a $4 million buyout.

López pitched for three teams over the course of 2023, namely the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. He had 83 strikeouts in 66 innings, which includes a career-best average of 11.3 Ks per nine innings.

Having led the MLB with 104 wins this past season, the Braves were eliminated in the NL Division Series for the second year in a row. The team has since been attempting to strengthen its roster in an attempt to break this rut.

The post Reynaldo López Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Atlanta Braves appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Ronald Acuña Jr. was voted the MLB player of the year by his peers as well as the National League’s outstanding player at the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was voted the American League’s outstanding player.

Acuña made history this season by becoming the first player in the major leagues ever to reach 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a single season. The Atlanta Braves right fielder hit .337 with 41 homers, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases.

Other winners on the night include Marcus Semien, the second baseman of the World Series champion Texas Rangers, who won the Marvin Miller man of the year award for leadership and Phil Bradley, who won the Curt Flood Award for the advancement of players’ rights and devotion to the union.

The post Ronald Acuña Jr. Voted MLB Player of the Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves right-hander Kyle Wright is expected to miss the entirety of the 2024 season, the team confirmed on Friday. This comes as the pitcher recovers after undergoing surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder.

Wright underwent the procedure on Wednesday, the Braves confirmed, adding that he was initially placed on the team’s 60-day injured list following an MRI that showed the extent of the damage.

This development comes after the 28-year-old player struggled to get playing time in the 2023 season due to his regular injury concerns. Throughout the year to date, Wright has appeared in just nine games, including seven starts. He posted a 1-3 record with a 6.97 ERA in 31 innings.

In 2022, Wright enjoyed a breakout season, posting a 21-5 record in 30 starts to lead the majors in number of wins. That season, he posted a 3.19 ERA while striking out 174 batters in 180⅓ innings.

The post Braves’ Kyle Wright Expected to Be Out for Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves will enter the 2023 MLB playoffs without an important piece of their rotation. The Braves placed starting pitcher Charlie Morton on a 15-day injured list and expect him to be out through the National League Division Series at least.

Morton suffered a finger injury on his throwing hand on Friday against the Washington Nationals, being forced to exit the game after throwing just 24 pitches. The 39-year-old player was later diagnosed with a right index finger after an MRI exam over the weekend.

According to Atlanta’s manager Brian Snitker, the earliest Morton will return to the mound is the NL Championship Series in case Atlanta makes it there. Morton started 30 games for the Braves in 2023, going 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA and 183 strikeouts.

“We were looking at the calendar, and it’s going to be over three weeks [of recovery],” Snitker told reporters. “So, hopefully, best-case scenario, he could be ready for [the NLCS] if we advance.”

The good news for the Braves is that All-Star lefty Max Fried is expected to be available for the NLDS. Fried is currently on 15-day IL as well after developing blisters on his throwing hand but can be activated just in time for Game 1 of the NLDS.

The post Braves’ Place RHP Charlie Morton to 15-Day Injured List appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a home run in his team’s 6-9 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night to get his season total to 40 homers. By doing this, Acuña became just the fifth player in MLB history to have at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

Acuña is the first new member of the 40-40 club since Nationals’ Alfonso Soriano joined in 2006. José Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) are the remaining three players to reach the mark.

It is important to note that Acuña currently has 68 stolen bases, while neither of the remaining four members of the 40-40 club surpassed 46 stolen bases.

Acuña’s historic performance also created several new clubs. No one has ever got to a 40-50 or 40-60 season.  

“It’s pretty incredible, and just think of how many players have played in the big leagues, and my name is alone,” Acuña said. “But I’m hoping, and I’m sure someone will break that record, too.”

Acuña is the favorite to win the NL MVP honors this season, batting a career high .337 and adding 101 RBIs. He helped the Braves own the best record in baseball at 99-55.

The post Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. 5th in MLB History to Have a 40-40 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta Braves star slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. has managed to do something in 2023 that no other player in MLB ever did. The 25-year-old hit a grand slam home run in an 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to become the only player in league history with 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in a single season.

“I feel privileged,” Acuña said after the game through an interpreter. “I thank God for letting me play the game I love every single day. It’s not just about me. It’s about my teammates and the fanbase. We all share this moment.”

To make it all even better, Acuña made the historic mark on the same day he got married to his longtime girlfriend, Maria Laborde. The wedding ceremony was reserved for his closest family and friends.

Acuña has been one of the best players in MLB this season, batting .338 with 30 homers, 63 stolen bases, and 83 RBIs. He is leading the league with 181 hits and 63 stolen bases.

With the help of Acuña, the Braves have become the most dominant team in baseball in 2023. They have a league-leading 88 wins and firmly sit in first place in the NL East.

The post Braves Slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. First in MLB History to Have 30 Homers and 60 Stolen Bases appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The reality of playing in MLB can sometimes be quite harsh, and veteran infielder Charlie Culberson experienced it firsthand on Sunday. Culberson was designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves on the same day his father, Charles, was supposed to throw the first pitch against the Colorado Rockies.

The Braves selected Culberson’s dad, a former minor league player, for the honor as part of the Father’s Day festivities at their Truist Park. However, before the game against the Rockies was set to start, Atlanta’s front office made a decision to DFA Culberson to call up catcher Chadwick Tromp.

Of course, the Braves scraped the original plan and had the father of outfielder Michael Harris II handle the first pitch duties. They went on to win the game 14-6 and improve to a 46-26 record.

Charlie Culberson signed a minor league contract with the Braves in March, returning to the franchise for his second stint. He started the season with Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers before being selected to the active roster in mid-May. However, the 34-year-old player didn’t make a single appearance in MLB since then.

Culberson made his MLB debut in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants and also played with the Colorado Rockies, LA Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. He has a career batting average of .248 with 30 home runs and 145 RBIs.

The post Braves DFA Charlie Culberson on the Same Day His Father Was Supposed to Throw the First Pitch appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Michael Soroka’s return to the mound didn’t go as well as the Atlanta Braves hoped. In his first two starts since recovering from two Achilles tears, Soroka has visibly struggled and posted an 8.38 ERA while allowing three homers.

The Braves have now decided to send Soroka to their Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers, hoping he might get his groove back by facing lesser competition. The organization announced the news on Monday alongside several other roster moves.

Soroka entered the league with a bang, having an astonishing rookie season in 2019 that saw him earn an All-Star spot and make an All-MLB Second Team. He also finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Soroka entered 2020 as the Braves’ Opening Day starter, being the youngest pitcher in the team’s modern history to receive the honor. Unfortunately, he only made three starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon.

What followed was a long road to recovery that saw Soroka undergo two surgeries, re-tearing his Achilles, and suffer a number of setbacks before being cleared for baseball activities at the start of the 2023 campaign.

As they wait for Soroka to find his rhythm, the Braves will most likely turn to rookie AJ Smith-Shawver to fill out their rotation.

The post Braves Option Michael Soroka to Triple-A Gwinnett After Comeback Struggles appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves received some devastating news on Saturday. Their All-Star right-hander Spencer Strider has been diagnosed with ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) damage in his throwing hand and might be forced to miss out the rest of 2024 season.

Strider struggled in Friday night’s 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing five runs in four innings. After the game, he reported discomfort in his elbow and was sent to get an MRI, which revealed the damage.

Strider is now expected to have further consultation, but he will likely need a Tommy John surgery that will rule him out for at least 16 months.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said that the team is expected to have an update about Strider in the upcoming days.

“You hate that,” Snitker said. “You hate it for him. I feel really bad for him. I mean, the kid does everything right. Loves to compete.”

Snitker acknowledged that surgery is a real option for Strider but said that the injury shouldn’t have any long-term impact on him.

“The good news is he’ll get whatever it is fixed and come back and have a really good career,” he added.

Spencer Strider was coming off a career season in 2023 in which he made his first All-Star and All-MLB First Team. He finished the season with a 20–5 record, 286 strikeouts, and a 3.86 ERA, leading the entire MLB in wins and strikeouts.

The post Braves All-Star RHP Spencer Strider Diagnosed With UCL Damage appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Seattle Mariners have traded outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-hander Marco Gonzales, and first baseman Evan White to the Atlanta Braves. In exchange, they received right-handers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.

By offloading three players to the Braves, the Mariners will be able to free up a significant amount of future guaranteed money, particularly after sending third baseman Eugenio Suarez to Arizona earlier in the window. Suarez is earning $11 million this season.

Gonzales is recovering from surgery to rectify a nerve issue in his arm. Before being injured, the 31-year-old player went 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA in 50 innings over 10 starts this season. he is expected to earn $12 million in 2024.

Following the team’s bulk trades this winter, the Mariners have lowered their payroll from $137 million on Opening Day last season to the $110 million range.

The post Mariners Trade Three Players to the Atlanta Braves appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves added another reliever to their roster, signing Reynaldo López to a three-year deal. The $30 million agreement will see López earn $4 million in his first year and $11 million in each of the next two seasons. There is an $8 million option for 2027, along with a $4 million buyout.

López pitched for three teams over the course of 2023, namely the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. He had 83 strikeouts in 66 innings, which includes a career-best average of 11.3 Ks per nine innings.

Having led the MLB with 104 wins this past season, the Braves were eliminated in the NL Division Series for the second year in a row. The team has since been attempting to strengthen its roster in an attempt to break this rut.

The post Reynaldo López Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Atlanta Braves appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Ronald Acuña Jr. was voted the MLB player of the year by his peers as well as the National League’s outstanding player at the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was voted the American League’s outstanding player.

Acuña made history this season by becoming the first player in the major leagues ever to reach 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a single season. The Atlanta Braves right fielder hit .337 with 41 homers, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases.

Other winners on the night include Marcus Semien, the second baseman of the World Series champion Texas Rangers, who won the Marvin Miller man of the year award for leadership and Phil Bradley, who won the Curt Flood Award for the advancement of players’ rights and devotion to the union.

The post Ronald Acuña Jr. Voted MLB Player of the Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves right-hander Kyle Wright is expected to miss the entirety of the 2024 season, the team confirmed on Friday. This comes as the pitcher recovers after undergoing surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder.

Wright underwent the procedure on Wednesday, the Braves confirmed, adding that he was initially placed on the team’s 60-day injured list following an MRI that showed the extent of the damage.

This development comes after the 28-year-old player struggled to get playing time in the 2023 season due to his regular injury concerns. Throughout the year to date, Wright has appeared in just nine games, including seven starts. He posted a 1-3 record with a 6.97 ERA in 31 innings.

In 2022, Wright enjoyed a breakout season, posting a 21-5 record in 30 starts to lead the majors in number of wins. That season, he posted a 3.19 ERA while striking out 174 batters in 180⅓ innings.

The post Braves’ Kyle Wright Expected to Be Out for Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves will enter the 2023 MLB playoffs without an important piece of their rotation. The Braves placed starting pitcher Charlie Morton on a 15-day injured list and expect him to be out through the National League Division Series at least.

Morton suffered a finger injury on his throwing hand on Friday against the Washington Nationals, being forced to exit the game after throwing just 24 pitches. The 39-year-old player was later diagnosed with a right index finger after an MRI exam over the weekend.

According to Atlanta’s manager Brian Snitker, the earliest Morton will return to the mound is the NL Championship Series in case Atlanta makes it there. Morton started 30 games for the Braves in 2023, going 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA and 183 strikeouts.

“We were looking at the calendar, and it’s going to be over three weeks [of recovery],” Snitker told reporters. “So, hopefully, best-case scenario, he could be ready for [the NLCS] if we advance.”

The good news for the Braves is that All-Star lefty Max Fried is expected to be available for the NLDS. Fried is currently on 15-day IL as well after developing blisters on his throwing hand but can be activated just in time for Game 1 of the NLDS.

The post Braves’ Place RHP Charlie Morton to 15-Day Injured List appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a home run in his team’s 6-9 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night to get his season total to 40 homers. By doing this, Acuña became just the fifth player in MLB history to have at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

Acuña is the first new member of the 40-40 club since Nationals’ Alfonso Soriano joined in 2006. José Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) are the remaining three players to reach the mark.

It is important to note that Acuña currently has 68 stolen bases, while neither of the remaining four members of the 40-40 club surpassed 46 stolen bases.

Acuña’s historic performance also created several new clubs. No one has ever got to a 40-50 or 40-60 season.  

“It’s pretty incredible, and just think of how many players have played in the big leagues, and my name is alone,” Acuña said. “But I’m hoping, and I’m sure someone will break that record, too.”

Acuña is the favorite to win the NL MVP honors this season, batting a career high .337 and adding 101 RBIs. He helped the Braves own the best record in baseball at 99-55.

The post Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. 5th in MLB History to Have a 40-40 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta Braves star slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. has managed to do something in 2023 that no other player in MLB ever did. The 25-year-old hit a grand slam home run in an 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to become the only player in league history with 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in a single season.

“I feel privileged,” Acuña said after the game through an interpreter. “I thank God for letting me play the game I love every single day. It’s not just about me. It’s about my teammates and the fanbase. We all share this moment.”

To make it all even better, Acuña made the historic mark on the same day he got married to his longtime girlfriend, Maria Laborde. The wedding ceremony was reserved for his closest family and friends.

Acuña has been one of the best players in MLB this season, batting .338 with 30 homers, 63 stolen bases, and 83 RBIs. He is leading the league with 181 hits and 63 stolen bases.

With the help of Acuña, the Braves have become the most dominant team in baseball in 2023. They have a league-leading 88 wins and firmly sit in first place in the NL East.

The post Braves Slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. First in MLB History to Have 30 Homers and 60 Stolen Bases appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The reality of playing in MLB can sometimes be quite harsh, and veteran infielder Charlie Culberson experienced it firsthand on Sunday. Culberson was designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves on the same day his father, Charles, was supposed to throw the first pitch against the Colorado Rockies.

The Braves selected Culberson’s dad, a former minor league player, for the honor as part of the Father’s Day festivities at their Truist Park. However, before the game against the Rockies was set to start, Atlanta’s front office made a decision to DFA Culberson to call up catcher Chadwick Tromp.

Of course, the Braves scraped the original plan and had the father of outfielder Michael Harris II handle the first pitch duties. They went on to win the game 14-6 and improve to a 46-26 record.

Charlie Culberson signed a minor league contract with the Braves in March, returning to the franchise for his second stint. He started the season with Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers before being selected to the active roster in mid-May. However, the 34-year-old player didn’t make a single appearance in MLB since then.

Culberson made his MLB debut in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants and also played with the Colorado Rockies, LA Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. He has a career batting average of .248 with 30 home runs and 145 RBIs.

The post Braves DFA Charlie Culberson on the Same Day His Father Was Supposed to Throw the First Pitch appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Michael Soroka’s return to the mound didn’t go as well as the Atlanta Braves hoped. In his first two starts since recovering from two Achilles tears, Soroka has visibly struggled and posted an 8.38 ERA while allowing three homers.

The Braves have now decided to send Soroka to their Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers, hoping he might get his groove back by facing lesser competition. The organization announced the news on Monday alongside several other roster moves.

Soroka entered the league with a bang, having an astonishing rookie season in 2019 that saw him earn an All-Star spot and make an All-MLB Second Team. He also finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Soroka entered 2020 as the Braves’ Opening Day starter, being the youngest pitcher in the team’s modern history to receive the honor. Unfortunately, he only made three starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon.

What followed was a long road to recovery that saw Soroka undergo two surgeries, re-tearing his Achilles, and suffer a number of setbacks before being cleared for baseball activities at the start of the 2023 campaign.

As they wait for Soroka to find his rhythm, the Braves will most likely turn to rookie AJ Smith-Shawver to fill out their rotation.

The post Braves Option Michael Soroka to Triple-A Gwinnett After Comeback Struggles appeared first on SportzBonanza.