2 min read • March 28, 2022
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This is the second in a four-part series detailing some key fantasy baseball relevant injuries heading into the 2022 season. Check out part one about three former MVPs here. We have also detailed how the delayed spring training could lead to an increase in soft tissue injuries.
Last year’s World Series champions enter this year with a Freddie Freeman-less lineup, a few key additions and three big injury questions.
The biggest question concerns 2018 Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr., who is recovering from a right knee ACL tear he suffered last July.
The 24-year-old is projected to rejoin the team at some point early in the season. For now, he’s expected to debut at DH in late April, then move to the outfield in early May.
In January, the ProBaseballDocs noted that Acuña was likely to return at DH first because his defense will be behind his offense for his knee recovery.
Acuña has recovered well to this point, but he won’t take any reps in Spring Training and will begin a rehab assignment starting April 5.
If he returns at the end of April, that will be 10 months into his recovery and will likely still have a ways to go before playing outfield with his usual range.
Adam Duvall and Guillermo Heredia will man center field, with Marcell Ozuna and Alex Dickerson in the mix for time in right field until Acuna returns.
Acuña's power numbers shouldn't be affected much this season, but don't expect to be a threat on the bases until late this season.
The young, promising righty has suffered Achilles tears in back-to-back seasons. He hasn’t pitched since August 3, 2020, when he tore his right Achilles tendon while attempting to run and cover first base.
Soroka underwent surgery and began throwing in Spring Training the following season, but was delayed by shoulder inflammation. He started to ramp up again in May, but reportedly had lingering discomfort in his surgically repaired Achilles.
The 24-year-old underwent an exploratory procedure, which reportedly found that his body was rejecting the sutures.
Soroka was then meant to build up his calf muscle and begin working towards a return, but he tore his right Achilles tendon again while walking in the Atlanta clubhouse in late June.
After his third surgery in two years, the ProBaseballDocs expect Soroka and the team to be cautious with his return. A good target would be about one year after his surgery, but that will depend on how he progresses in his rehab.
A post All-Star Break return for Soroka would be great news for a Braves team that currently lacks starting pitching depth.
Soroka isn't exactly draftable at the moment, but his career 2.86 ERA could slot well in the Braves' rotation come August.
Everyone in the baseball world remembers Morton's heroic World Series performance, throwing 16 pitches on a broken leg.
Now with the broken fibula fully recovered, the 38-year-old is poised to serve as the ace for the Braves this season.
Earlier this month, we detailed how Morton shouldn't have any lingering effects from the leg injury.
Morton himself has said he expects to be ready for the start of the season and he has already looked effective in limited spring training action.
The savvy right-hander finished last season with a 14-6 record, a 3.34 ERA and 216 strikeouts.
He could be a steal in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts as long as he can avoid soft tissue injuries related to the delayed spring training.
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