Walt Weiss had an update on right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Atlanta Braves will once again not see a fully healthy season from right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. in 2026.
The 28-year-old superstar has continued to deal with lower body injuries, with the recurring issue this year being a left hamstring strain. He has been on the 10-day injured list for the second time this season after re-aggravating it back on June 9, and he has missed nearly two months of action during this latest stint.
Fortunately, Acuna is set to return to the club. He has been on a rehab assignment in Triple-A, an assignment that was expected to be a longer one given how much action he has missed.
However, the Braves appear ready for Acuna to return sooner than anticipated. Manager Walt Weiss addressed his health after Sunday's series finale with the Baltimore Orioles.
"Braves manager Walt Weiss says that there's a chance that we see Ronald Acuña Jr. in New York against the Mets," wrote Braves reporter Barrett Sallee.
On Monday, Atlanta made it official.
Acuna may not have the same athleticism he displayed during his historic 2023 National League MVP season, when he became the first player ever to record at least 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in the same year, and his defensive abilities in right field may not be what they once were.
But he remains a force in the batter's box and one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB when healthy.
Across 53 games before going down, he posted a .251 batting average, .373 on-base percentage, .793 OPS, seven home runs and 22 RBIs.
While those numbers are not what fans are accustomed to seeing from Acuna, he had a slow start before picking it up as the season progressed.
Given where Atlanta is right now, fighting to hold off the second-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, getting Acuna back was a priority as they the Braves look to make it back to October.
The team has been cycling through outfield options without a consistent producer in right field, and his return immediately solidifies a spot in the middle of the lineup.
Acuna will play right field when he comes back rather than designated hitter, as catcher Drake Baldwin requires the DH spot multiple times per week to manage his workload behind the plate, making it impractical to hand that role to Acuna on a regular basis.
