Ronald Acuña says he has almost completely recovered after tearing his left ACL while playing for the Atlanta Braves last May.

Speaking almost exclusively in English even with a Spanish-language interpreter standing next to him, the 2023 NL MVP estimated his knee at 90-95%.

“I feel great,” Acuña said Friday. “When they tell me I need to be there that day, I’ll be there.”

Acuña injured his left knee last May 26 on a stolen-base attempt at Pittsburgh and had surgery June 4 with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache,

Acuña tore his right ACL on July 10, 2021, had surgery with ElAttrache 11 days later and missed the Braves’ run to their first World Series title since 1995. He returned on April 28, 2022, after missing Atlanta’s first 19 games.

Acuña hit .337 with 41 home runs and 106 RBIs in his MVP season, leading the major leagues with 73 stolen bases.

“We think getting him back is going to be big,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.

Compared to his previous experience with an ACL, Acuna said he “would feel more stable.”

Brewers RHP Woodruff happy with return

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff said he exceeded his expectations Friday when he faced hitters for the first time since late in the 2023 season.

The two-time All-Star, who injured his shoulder on Sept. 23, 2023 against the Miami Marlins, threw 20 pitches of batting practice.

“Obviously, I was nervous and jittery,” Woodruff said. “It’s the first time in a year-and-a-half, but I felt good. I think it went a lot better than I expected it to. I needed this. I needed to face hitters.”

Woodruff said his immediate focus was to build on this process and he didn’t know when he might face batters in spring training games.

“Or if I will,” Woodruff said. “But it’s a good sign I made it through today and it felt good, and that’s what’s important. I’ll take tomorrow for what it is, and we’ll build out something. It’ll be a little bit slower, but I’m happy with where I’m at right now.”

He was 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA at the time of the injury.

Whether the 32-year-old will be ready by the March 27 opener at the New York Yankees is unclear.

“I miss it,” Woodruff said. “I’ve still got a long ways to go. Today was another hurdle to get over in this process. I think I’ve done a good job on the front end of taking my time to get to this spot. It’s a good day.”

Stroman reports, insists he won’t go to bullpen

Marcus Stroman reported to New York Yankees spring training on Friday after missing the first two days of workouts and said he will refuse to pitch out of the bullpen.

“I won’t pitch in the bullpen. I’m a starter,” he said, repeating ”I’m a starter” seven times in a 13-second span.

Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are the Yankees’ top five starters, and a bullpen role for Stroman appears possible if he isn’t traded and the others don’t get hurt.

“We’re building him up to be a starting pitcher and that’s so far out there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “As we go when things come up, we’ll address them.”

While the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are planning six-man rotations, Boone said the Yankees are unlikely to do so.

“Never say never. I don’t necessarily see us doing that,” Boone said. “Reality is we’re probably getting 10, 11 guys ready to be starters and who knows how many of them you’re going to have to use right away or at some point during the season?”

Stroman is to throw a bullpen on Saturday. Among the shorter pitchers in the major leagues, he spoke of his durability.

“How many people can stay healthy and do it 30-plus starts year after year and year, especially after being the one that they said could never do it at my size?” Stroman said.

Though the 33-year-old right-hander isn’t required to participate in spring training until Feb. 22, according to the collective bargaining agreement, most players arrive on the voluntary reporting date.

“I just felt like today was a good day to come,” Stroman said. “Valentine’s Day, I feel like the vibes are going to be proper. Everyone’s happy on this day.”

Stroman had spoken with Boone about the timing of his arrival.

“I don’t think there was a need for me to be here in the last few days given the climate,” Stroman said. “I talked to Boonie. We had a great conversation. Everything’s honestly perfect and seamless. And my relationship with the guys in the clubhouse hasn’t changed. So I feel great to be back and I’m ready to roll.”

Stroman is due an $18 million salary in the second season of a $37 million, two-year contract. He has a conditional player option for 2026 that would be triggered if he pitches at least 140 innings this year.

Briefly

Royals >> All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans and Kansas City reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, per multiple reports Friday. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report the deal.

White Sox >> Two-time All-Star Joey Gallo agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes a non-roster invite to spring training.

Diamondbacks >> Reliever Kendall Graveman has agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.