Ronald Acuna, Jr. is unlikely to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, something he expressed a desire to do multiple times.

The Atlanta Braves want to keep the 25-year-old out of the event for precautionary reasons.

Acuna tore his ACL in July 2021 and had surgery shortly thereafter. He returned on April 28, 2022 and played through the rest of the season.

"I have always said that I want to represent my country, but that's not a decision I can make," Acuna said. "The team, the medics and the staff will take care of that."

Earlier this month, Acuna posted (and quickly deleted) an Instagram Story questioning why he could not play for Venezuelan after playing most of the 2022 season.