The Atlanta Braves this offseason signed outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year deal worth $42 million. Profar on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates injured himself when trying to make a sliding catch.
Atlanta already has one outfielder out with an injury. Ronald Acuña Jr. is still recovering from a torn ACL injury a season ago. It remains to be seen when he will join the Braves on the field. There is a chance that Profar and Acuña Jr. may not be ready for opening day for Atlanta.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Replacement Jurickson Profar Should Be Ready For Opening Day
Bowman on Sunday reported on Twitter, “Jurickson Profar’s CT Scan showed a bone bruise. The expectation is he’ll be ready for Opening Day.”
It is good news for Atlanta that Profar should be ready for Opening Day. Bowman also added about his injury, “Profar jammed the wrist while attempting to make a sliding catch during the fourth inning of Saturday’s game against the Pirates at CoolToday Park. X-rays were negative, but Profar flew to Atlanta on Sunday to undergo a CT scan.”
It is not a bad thing that Atlanta is holding him out until Opening Day. The Braves will open the season on the road on March 27 for a four-game series against the San Diego Padres. Atlanta had its season end last year against the Padres in the National League Wild Card series. Both teams will have high expectations entering the 2025 season.
MORE: 2025 MLB Power Rankings: Is the Preseason Hype in New York and the West Coast Justified?
Profar played with San Diego for the past two seasons. He is 32 years old and hoping to help the Braves this season. Last season with the Padres, Profar played in 158 games with the team. He had a .280 batting average with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs, along with 10 stolen bases and three caught stealing attempts. His on-base percentage was .280.
Profar is projected to be the starting left fielder on Opening Day for Atlanta. Michael Harris II is projected to be the starting center fielder and Jarred Kelenic is projected to be the starting right fielder. Acuña Jr. for now is not projected to be ready for the season for the Braves.
If Profar for some reason is not ready for the Padres series, Bryan De La Cruz will replace him in left field. It is not ideal for Atlanta to potentially be dealing with injuries to the outfield this early. It is only spring training and the Braves need to hope that Profar doesn’t have any setbacks before then.