Key piece of Braves lineup reportedly dodges injury, will be ready for Opening Day

The Atlanta Braves entered spring training counting on Jurickson Profar to be the answer in left field. After reportedly dodging an injury scare, that plan still seems to be on track for Opening Day.

Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal with Atlanta this offseason, received good news from the CT scan that was conducted on his left wrist after he landed awkwardly while trying to make a catch on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Having flown back to Atlanta to have the CT scan performed, Profar was diagnosed with a bone bruise and will reportedly be ready for Opening Day when the Braves take on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 27.

The game will likely carry a bit of extra significance for Profar as he spent portions of five seasons with the Padres, including 14 games during the 2023 season and all of last season.

It was that final season in San Diego that skyrocketed Profar's value this offseason as he posted a career-high OPS+ of 134 (league average is considered 100) while slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI, both career-highs.

Atlanta now hopes that the 32-year-old Profar will continue that offensive trend in his new home. He is one of the Braves who will likely be asked to try to fill some of the offensive production that will be missed with starting catcher Sean Murphy's cracked rib suffered in a spring training game keeping him out of the lineup likely well past Opening Day.

The good news surrounding Profar also greatly benefits Atlanta's outfield depth. Former National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuna Jr., who will slide in as the starting right fielder for the Braves, is pushing to return to the lineup on May 1 as he continues to recover from left knee surgery needed to repair a torn ACL he suffered near the end of last May.

Until Acuna returns, Jarred Kelenic is expected to see quite a bit of time in right field. Had Profar been out of the Opening Day lineup, the Braves might have started an outfield consisting of Kelenic, Michael Harris II in center field and Bryan De La Cruz.