MLB Weekly Digest September 4th Edition: Acuna Makes History

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The last week in MLB was about an outfielder in the National League making remarkable history, a pitcher that underwent Tommy John surgery, and a club in the American League placing their shortstop on the injured list with a quad injury.

Atlanta Braves Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Makes History

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has had a memorable 2023 campaign and made history several days ago.

HISTORY MADE.

RONALD'S 30TH HOME RUN OF THE SEASON IS A GRAND SLAM. pic.twitter.com/Cwun8fwyil

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 1, 2023

Acuna crushed his 30^th home run of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he already had swiped 60 bases this year.

He became the first player in MLB history to record a 30-60 season and the third to compile a 30-50 season, joining Barry Bonds and Eric Davis.

Before Acuna, the most home runs by an individual with 60 or more steals in a single campaign was by Rickey Henderson when he hit 28 home runs in 1986 while playing for the New York Yankees and in 1990 with the Oakland Athletics.

Acuna is the favorite to win the National League MVP this year, as he has been the best player on MLB’s best team.

He has posted a .337 batting average and 1.001 OPS in 135 games with 123 runs scored, 184 hits, 32 doubles, three triples, 32 home runs, 85 RBIs, 63 stolen bases, and a 165 OPS+.

Acuna has been the driving force behind the Braves’ fantastic 2023 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher Tony Gonsolin Underwent Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Tony Gonsolin will undergo Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1, Dodgers announced. pic.twitter.com/5s0bUKdX8b

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 28, 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery a couple of days ago to repair the damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Tony Gonsolin will have Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1. https://t.co/nvZjz7DFf9

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 28, 2023

Gonsolin will miss the entire 2024 season due to the surgery, per J.P. Hoornstra of Southern California News Group.

The Tommy John surgery is the first for Gonsolin. The Dodgers aren’t counting on him returning until 2025.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 28, 2023

Gonsolin was placed on the injured list on Aug. 19 with what the Dodgers called forearm inflammation.

Gonsolin had pitched well when the season started, as he posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 13 starts in the first half of the season.

However, he struggled to replicate that success after the All-Star break, and it was likely because of the injury.

The Dodgers’ pitching staff has dealt with many injuries in 2023.

Dustin May will be sidelined until the 2024 season as he underwent flexor tendon surgery last month.

Walker Buehler had Tommy John surgery last year and is on a rehab assignment.

At the same time, Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias have also spent time on the injured list this season.

Toronto Blue Jays Place Shortstop Bo Bichette on Injured List with Quad Injury

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed shortstop Bo Bichette on the injured list with a quad injury, per a team announcement.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 SS Bo Bichette (right quad strain) placed on 10-day IL, retroactive to August 28

🔹 INF Mason McCoy selected to the Major League roster and will be active tonight pic.twitter.com/Dhl6GqEllM

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 29, 2023

Bichette was forced to miss three weeks in early August due to right patellar tendinitis.

The loss of Bichette comes at the most inopportune time as the Blue Jays are fighting for an American League Wild Card spot.

Bo Bichette’s quad strain described as “mild” by John Schneider. But he’s down now & will need 10 days, so Jays put him on IL

For now, Schneider says Jays will cover SS “creatively” w/ likes of Clement, Espinal & McCoy. “It’s gonna get weird. It’s gonna get dirty, ugly, crazy.”

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 29, 2023

The shortstop is an integral player for the MLB team.

He has posted a .314 average and .831 OPS in 114 games with 54 runs scored, 152 hits, 26 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a 127 OPS+.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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