Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson will take teammate Ronald Acuña Jr.’s place in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, the club announced Friday. The decision comes after Acuña experienced lower-back tightness earlier in the week and opted out of the power-hitting showcase as a precaution. Acuña, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, is still slated to start in right field during Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Olson, who has hit 17 home runs this season, enters the Derby with betting odds of about +480, according to sports-book lines. The eight-man field also features Byron Buxton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Brent Rooker, Junior Caminero, Cal Raleigh, James Wood and O’Neill Cruz.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is out of the HR Derby due to back tightness; his teammate Matt Olson will take his place. Olson is +480 to win the Derby ⚾️ https://t.co/9LfJ1XDyqJ
BREAKING: Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby over Ronald Acuña Jr., the team announced Friday. https://t.co/86IORwtf4i
Matt Olson is replacing Ronald Acuña Jr. in the Home Run Derby next week https://t.co/Rn9ImOmX0Q