The Braves have set May 6 as a potential target date for Ronald Acuna Jr.’s return to the active roster, though manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including The Athletic’s David O’Brien) that there is plenty of flexibility built into that plan. Acuna is thus far three games into his minor league rehab assignment.
“Next week will be big because I think he’s scheduled to go lengthy defensive games, like 3 out of 4 days, something like that,” Snitker said. “At the end of next week they’ll have a really good read on probably where his body is.”
Acuna tore his right ACL last July 10, so it will be just shy of a 10-month absence if he does make his return for the May 6 game against the Brewers. Despite the severity of the injury and the obvious caution the Braves have taken with their superstar, Acuna’s rehab has gone about as smoothly as possible. Snitker even intimated that if Acuna’s next week of action goes particularly well, the outfielder might even be back on Atlanta’s roster prior to May 6.
The defending World Series champs have a 7-8 record heading into today’s game with the Marlins, in part due to an overall lack of production from the outfield. While Marcell Ozuna has hit well, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Guillermo Heredia, and Alex Dickerson (who has played mostly DH), have all struggled, so Acuna’s return to the everyday right field spot should immediately shore things up.
While it may be unfair to expect Acuna to immediately pick up where he left off in 2021, even a slightly lessened version of Acuna is still one of the game’s best players. The outfielder has done nothing but mash since debuting in 2018, and he was batting .283/.394/.596 with 24 homers in his first 360 plate appearances of the 2021 season before suffering his ACL tear.
With how bad they’ve been playing, the Braves could use two or three Ronald Acunas to come save the day.
Acuna time! Watch the Braves come roaring back.
Mets still better
False
Even as a Phillies fan it’s great to have him back. Such a great talent
He’s not back yet, we’ll see how he does this week.
So long as he’s healthy, he couldn’t be back a min too soon
Cool hair
So who will be the odd man out when he gets back?
Alex Dickerson
I hope the dude can’t hit crap right now
Can’t wait.
Then gone again the very next day?
They can now trade Duvall
Dickerson gets the boot first.
*WORLD CHAMPIONS
NOTE: I’m at Truist Park tonight but you’ll never find me.
Not like anyone wants to
Start him out as DH for a few games?
And to think that I picked him up in fantasy this year very late in the 2nd round. I could not believe he fell to me!
Make your pick:
Acuna returns before May 6th or Braves win their first series before his return!
Got in to this debate today, let’s see what y’all think.
You get to choose one player with their contract to start your expansion team.
Which do you take Franco or Acuna ?
It is perspective, but I will decide based on what the Braves have/need. I rather have Acuna and sign Turner/Xander for SS rather than have Franco at SS and replace Acuna with whatever is available currently. So Acuna!
The Braves absolutely cannot afford and will not sign either of those two SS. That’s laughable.
What happened? Are you scared of the possibility? feel intimated? Wish the Mets had either of the two rather than the always-been overrated 300 mil Lindor? Admit it, he was not worth 300 mil
What’s laughable is that the Mets will probably sign one of them and still finish behind the Braves.
Franco who is three years younger and plays SS but it’s close.
Franco, but not by much. Acuna now needs to prove he isn’t injury prone by staying healthy and playing 150+ games for the next few seasons.
Franco plays a premium position. That is the only advantage he has over Acuna. Other than that Acuna is better at everything. Acuna is a 7+ war player when healthy. Not sure how many players can claim that. Wander great player though. His body type might might outgrow ss position.
If the Braves play it smart, Acuna wont see anything but the DH spot for the rest of the year.
Braves need to move Duvall and Rosario to a left field platoon, DH Ozuna, bring up Harris or even Waters for CF, and plug Ronny in at RF. Immediately fix the defense and put guys in position to succeed at the plate.
Would be better if they release/trade Duvall but that should have been done in the offseason.
The Braves need to stop using converted infielders in the outfield. These outfielders look like they’re chasing butterflies and they are terrible. They would be a lot better off bringing up some of the outfielders from the minor leagues.