The Atlanta Braves have been rolling in 2026, and with the crew posting a file of 60-42 by way of their first 102 video games, they’ve acquired a snug 4.5 recreation lead within the Nationwide League East as they give the impression of being to shut issues out over the subsequent two months in opposition to robust competitors within the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins.
On prime of that early success, the commerce deadline is upcoming, and if the Braves can play their playing cards proper and improve probably the most gifted rosters in Main League Baseball, it is a crew which will have a real shot on the World Collection in 2026. A technique that they are able to improve is the return of one of many groups greatest stars, and within the newest replace from their supervisor, it seems as if that return is coming sooner, relatively than later.
Ronald Acuna Jr. set to Return to the Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves.
Ronald Acuna Jr. final performed for the Atlanta Braves on June ninth, and since then he’s been sidelined with a hamstring pressure, and whereas the assumption was that he might have returned already, the crew wished to be as cautious as attainable given how necessary he’s to the crew and the way typically he’s been sidelined lately.
Proper now, the star outfielder is taking part in within the minor leagues on a rehab begin, and whereas he’ll play at Triple-A once more on Thursday, supervisor Walt Weiss has now revealed that he might return on Friday, however on the very least, shall be activated on the weekend.
Acuna Jr. would offer a serious enhance to the center of the Braves lineup, and when wholesome, a lineup that consists of Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson stays top-of-the-line in all of baseball, particularly if Ronald will get again to the shape we’ve seen from him lately.
Will the Braves be World Collection Threats in 2026?
Regardless of lacking Acuna Jr. for effectively over a month, the Braves have continued rolling with one of many deepest rosters within the sport, and if they’ll get their star outfielder again to 100%, they matchup effectively in opposition to even the perfect within the Nationwide League just like the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers.
Earlier than he was injured, Acuna Jr. was having a down yr by his requirements, as he was hitting .251 with a .793 OPS throughout 53 video games, contributing 7 house runs and 22 RBI in that point, and whereas he’s not fairly the risk on the bottom paths that he as soon as was, he can nonetheless be a serious contributor to a World Collection contender on the plate.
Solely time will inform whether or not or not Acuna Jr. can rekindle the shape that when noticed him hit 41 house runs with 106 RBI, but when he’s even near taking part in at that degree upon return with a possible improve forward of the commerce deadline, it is a Braves crew that no one within the Nationwide League needs to be taking evenly.
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