LEADING OFF: Braves star Acuña out for year, MLB draft opens

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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ACUÑA'S ANGUISH

Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season, headed for surgery after suffering a complete tear of the ACL in his right knee during a game in Miami.

An MRI showed the severity of the injury and Atlanta made the announcement late Saturday night, ending the year for one of the most dynamic players in the majors.

Hours earlier, Acuña had tears in his eyes as he was carted off the field at Marlins Park. The 23-year-old landed awkwardly after jumping on the warning track in right field trying to catch a drive by Jazz Chisholm Jr. Acuña slammed into the outfield wall and crumbled on the warning track, immediately grabbing his right knee while Chisholm sprinted for an inside-the-park homer.

Acuña had been set to start for the NL All-Star team in Tuesday’s game, his third appearance. He was hitting .283 with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs for the three-time defending NL East champions.

DRAFT DAY

A year after Major League Baseball limited its draft amid the chaos of COVID-19, it’s set to host a revamped event as part of All-Star festivities in Denver.

The 20-round draft will span three days, with Round 1 slated for primetime Sunday. MLB moved the draft to July’s All-Star weekend, putting the opening round on its network right after the All-Star Futures Game, a showcase for the top players in the minors.

The Pirates hold the No. 1 overall pick. Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter could be in play for the Buccos, along with prep shortstops Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar and Kahlil Watson, and Louisville catcher Henry Davis.

One more name to know: California high school shortstop Max Muncy, who could also go on Day 1. Despite sharing a name and a birthday with the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger, the two...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Braves-star-Acu-a-out-for-year-MLB-16306893.php