Atlanta Braves kick off World Series title defense, begin Spring Training

ATLANTA — It took a few extra weeks, but the Atlanta Braves will being preparing to defend their 2021 World Series title. Players and coaches began arriving at their North Point, Florida on Sunday afternoon for training camp.

Due to the Major League Baseball lockout, Spring Training is scheduled to begin on Monday, about a month later than originally planned. MLB and the league’s players association signed off on a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday. The Braves first spring training game is slated for Friday afternoon against the Twins at CoolToday Park.

Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein will be with the Braves all week long. Look for LIVE reports this week on Channel 2 Action News.

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Any conversation or storyline involving the Braves this spring will begin with the status of Freddie Freeman. The team captain and one of the league’s best players, Freeman’s contract expired at the end of the 2021 season, making him a highly sought after free agent.

Freeman, like many players, has kept a low profile this offseason. While many Braves fans want to see the 32-year old first baseman return to the only team he’s ever played for, the jury is still out as to whether that will happen.

Several teams, including the Dodgers, Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays have all expressed some form of interest in signing the 2020 league MVP and the hope his Freeman will make his decision before spring training sessions begin Monday.

Manager Brian Snitker said he recently spoke to Freeman once the lockout ended.

“I hadn’t talked to him since we left the parade,” Snitker said. “I just said, ‘Man, I can talk to you now.’ I was just asking how family was. There was nothing professional or business or anything. Just checking in on him. Let’s face it, he’s going to be a good friend the rest of my life, regardless of professionally what happens.”

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Another big storyline for the team will be the return of outfielder Ronald Acuña Junior. Acuña tore a ligament in his right knee during a game in July, 2021 and has not played in a game since then.

Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to the batting cage 🙏

(🎥: @ronaldacunajr24 IG) pic.twitter.com/67YDnIgbqU
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) November 22, 2021

Acuña has been seen taking batting practice and throwing the ball. The Braves are hopeful their star right fielder will be ready to go sometime in May.

Also trying to work back from an injury is pitcher Charlie Morton. Morton fractured his leg in Game 2 of 2021′s World Series and was one of the best pitchers in baseball up to that point. The 38-year-old has been reportedly working out on his own and told people he expects to be ready to play by the start of the season. Many believe Morton along with ace pitcher Max Fried give the Braves one of the best 1-2 pitching combinations in baseball.

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To this point, most of the Braves 40-man roster from 2021 remains intact. At this time, the three outfielders the team picked up late in the season remain unsigned. Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario are all candidates to potentially return to the team, but the Braves have not made any decisions on bringing any of them back.

Marcell Ozuna returns after sitting out most of 2021 due to an injury and then a suspension related to domestic violence charges which were later dropped.

Infielders Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies all return, the only positional player the Braves have added to the roster this season is catcher Many Pina. The coaching staff from last season, beginning with manager Brian Snitker all return as well.

After the quick three weeks in Florida, the Braves will open the 2022 season April 7 with a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park. The team has a full slate of events planned to commemorate their historic 2021 season.