The Atlanta Braves appear to be nearing the return of one of their biggest stars, as he continues to make progress in his recovery from injury. With his rehab assignment advancing to Triple-A and manager Walt Weiss leaving the door open for an early comeback, the reigning superstar could soon provide a major boost to a Braves team searching for answers.
The Braves outfielder’s return to the lineup is continuing to trend in a positive direction. According to the player’s transactions log on MLB.com, his rehab assignment has been advanced to Triple-A, suggesting that a return to the major league roster could be approaching soon.
Braves manager Walt Weiss indicated that he could potentially rejoin the team during its current homestand.
Via 680 The Fan’s Barrett Sallee on X: “Braves manager Walt Weiss says that he won’t rule out OF Ronald Acuña Jr. returning this homestand”
Acuña has been sidelined since June 10 due to a left hamstring strain. He began his rehab assignment with the FCL Braves on July 13 as he worked toward regaining his form and preparing for a return to Major League action.
During his three games with the FCL Braves, Acuña recorded one hit in seven at-bats, including a grand slam, while also drawing two walks and driving in five runs.
Before his injury, Acuña was putting together another productive season. Through 53 games with Atlanta, he posted a .251/.373/.421 slash line with seven home runs, 10 doubles, one triple, 22 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.
The 27-year-old remains in the middle of the eight-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Braves in 2019. His deal includes club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons worth $17 million each, and Atlanta is widely expected to exercise both options given Acuña’s status as one of baseball’s premier talents when healthy.
Braves Struggling Without Ronald Acuña
The Braves have felt Acuña’s absence in a significant way. Before he went on the injured list, Atlanta was rolling with a 45-22 record and a nine-game advantage in the National League East standings.
Since then, however, the team has struggled, going 10-18 and dropping to a 55-40 record. Their once-comfortable division lead has become much tighter, with the Philadelphia Phillies only 2 1/2 games behind and the Miami Marlins four games back.
A major factor behind Atlanta’s recent struggles has been its declining offense. Since Acuña’s injury, the Braves rank 28th in MLB in runs scored with 111, while also sitting last in wRC+ at 76 and on-base percentage at .286.
With the offense searching for consistency, getting Acuña back into the lineup has become a priority. The Braves are reportedly considering a return during this homestand, which runs from Friday through Thursday. The stretch begins with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers and concludes with a four-game matchup against the San Diego Padres.