Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. could return to the major league lineup as early as Friday, manager Walt Weiss said Thursday. Acuña is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of the Braves’ three-game series in Baltimore.
Acuña is currently rehabbing from a left hamstring strain that has sidelined him since June 9, marking his second stint on the injured list this season with the same injury. He previously missed 15 games in May due to the hamstring issue. To prepare for a return to major league action, Acuña has been getting at-bats through a rehab assignment, which included seven minor league games across the Braves’ rookie league affiliate in Florida and Triple-A Gwinnett.
“He has to feel right about his timing,” Weiss said after Atlanta’s 6-5 win over San Diego on Thursday. “We’re just trying to rack up some at-bats for him so that the timing is there when he shows up.” Weiss also noted that Acuña continues to run aggressively on the bases and appeared fully recovered in recent minor league games, including a Wednesday outing where he went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base while serving as designated hitter.
Physically, Acuña is deemed ready, but Weiss emphasized the decision to activate him depends on how well he performs and his confidence at the plate. “This is all about him being ready to be impactful when he gets here,” Weiss said.
The 2023 National League Most Valuable Player has compiled a .251 batting average with a .373 on-base percentage and a .793 slugging percentage, along with 15 stolen bases over 53 games this season. The Braves hold a significant winning edge with Acuña in the lineup, posting a 37-16 record compared to 23-26 without him.
In a separate development, Harbinger Sports Group announced that an investment consortium including former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has acquired a minority stake in the Oakland Athletics ahead of the team’s planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028. The group did not disclose the precise share acquired. Cuban, who also retains a minority interest in the Mavericks, serves as general partner and president of the Atlanta-based Harbinger Sports Group.