ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Chris Sale looked like his usual self in his spring training debut on Sunday, tossing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts on 37 pitches (28 strikes) in the Atlanta Braves’ 8-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
But it’s spring. The scores don’t matter. What really counts are the performances of certain players, which will set the tone as the regular season approaches.
The Atlanta Braves rolled out what appeared to be its impending Opening Day lineup Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, featuring Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF), Drake Baldwin (C), Matt Olson (1B), Jurickson Profar (LF), Austin Riley (3B), Ozzie Albies (2B), Michael Harris II (CF), Aaron Schunk (DH), and Mauricio Dubón (SS). Mike Yastrzemski played on Saturday and is expected to primarily man left field, while Profar will serve as the DH.
Facing right-hander Taj Bradley, Acuña crushed a 397-foot drive off the bat at 112.4 mph. He expected it to clear the left-field wall, but the humid conditions following the earlier rain in North Port caused the ball to fall short, and Acuña settled for a single.
Manager Walt Weiss told reporters before the game that Acuña will return to the leadoff spot for the regular season. His 1.012 OPS as a leadoff hitter in 2023 ranked fourth among all players with at least 500 plate appearances in the lineup’s first spot.
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Baldwin hit second, and winded up going 2-for-2 with a 406-foot bomb in his spring debut. Since he’ll be the primary catcher - with Jonah Heim set to back him up until Sean Murphy returns - it’s possible Baldwin becomes a regular in batting second when the regular season starts.
“There’s many schools of thought when it comes to lineup construction,” Weiss said Sunday. “I’ve probably gone down every rabbit hole as it relates to that. I’m going to watch it play out this spring, and I’m not going to be married to any one lineup.”
2/22 #Braves notes: 8-1 L vs. Twins
— Aaron Schmidt (@AaronTSchmidt) February 22, 2026
- Atlanta’s lineup primarily featured its Opening Day starters, with Acuña opening the game with a 112.4 mph, 397-ft single.
- Sale looked good: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K, 37 pitches (28 strikes). Avg. 95.1 mph on his FB.
More⬇️pic.twitter.com/tkoqmEUslp
JR Ritchie makes spring debut
Top prospect JR Ritchie isn’t much of a big deal yet, but that will likely change going forward.
The 22-year-old fired two scoreless innings against the Twins on Sunday. He won’t make the Opening Day rotation due to development considerations, but he’s the Braves’ most MLB-ready prospect and is poised to be a force in the years ahead, joining young arms Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver.
Since the Braves didn’t add any external reinforcements after the recent injuries to Schwellenbach and Waldrep, Ritchie could earn a promotion if additional injuries occur. The Opening Day rotation is expected to feature Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, and likely either Bryce Elder or Joey Wentz.
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The Braves next face the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Right-hander Garrett Baumann gets the start for the Braves.
How to watch Braves on Gray
Gray Media will simulcast these 15 Atlanta Braves games throughout the Southeast this spring.
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If you are in another market outside of Atlanta, you can find your channel at BravesOnGray.com.
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