Braves’ Acuña, Freeman healthy for Game 1 against Cardinals
By Charles Odum The Associated Press
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., right, and first baseman Freddie Freeman attend a news conference before a baseball team workout Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. The Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a National League Division Series on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is followed by first baseman Freddie Freeman as they leave a news conference before a baseball team workout Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. The Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a National League Division Series on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman leaves a news conference before a baseball team workout Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. The Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a National League Division Series on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Amis)
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong waits to bat during a baseball team workout Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. The Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a National League Division Series on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. attend a news conference before a baseball team workout Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. The Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a National League Division Series on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Amis)
ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr., two keys to Atlanta’s lineup who suffered late-season injuries, say they are healthy for the Braves’ NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Acuña’s status for Thursday’s Game 1 was the bigger concern. The 21-year-old outfielder has not played since Sept. 24 due to tightness in his left hip. The injury ended his chase for a rare 40-40 season. He finished with 41 homers and 37 steals.
Freeman has struggled with bone spurs in his right elbow and at one point last month could not straighten his right arm. He returned for Atlanta’s final regular season series at the New York Mets.
Acuña and Freeman played in a simulated game Tuesday. Acuña says he is “back to 100 percent” and Freeman says he felt no pain in the elbow.
Atlanta left-hander Dallas Keuchel will face St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas in Game 1 of the best-of-five series.
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