Braves to activate outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from injured list, will start Friday vs. Padres

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves will reinstate outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park, the club announced on Thursday.

A corresponding move has yet to be announced.

Acuña is in line to make his first start since May 26, 2024, when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament while attempting to steal third base during the first inning in a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was his second ACL injury in less than three full calendar years.

The 27-year-old tore his right ACL two days before the 2021 All-Star break, forcing him to miss the rest of the season and undergo a nine-month recovery, which saw him return to the diamond in April 2022.

But Acuña and the Braves took their time with this recovery process, as Memorial Day (Monday) marks one calendar year since the injury. Acuña has played numerous rehabilitation games in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers, spending time in the outfield and working on his mechanics while hitting .417 with a 1.465 OPS and a solo home run. He had seven walks in 19 plate appearances.

“I’m super excited to be back,” Acuña said in a press conference on May 14. “I’m just peaked with anxiety, just trying to rush back to be able to play with the guys and re the team.”

Acuña burst onto the scene in 2018 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs in 111 games en route to an NL Rookie of the Year award and followed that up with a 41-home run, 37-stolen base season in 2022. His talents were on display again in 2024, when he was named NL MVP after becoming the first player to ever hit 40-plus home runs and 70-plus stolen bases in the same season.

He struggled in his encore season, hitting just .250 with four home runs and 16 stolen bases before he went down with his knee injury.

Atlanta has used a plethora of outfielders while trying to compensate for Acuña’s and Jurickson Profar’s absences. Profar was signed to a three-year, $42 million contract in free agency to be the everyday left fielder, but was popped for steroid use and suspended for 80 games dating back to March 31.

Michael Harris II has consistently manned center field while Bryan De La Cruz, Jarred Kelenic and Eli White platooned the corner outfield spots to start the season. as Kelenic was demoted to Triple-A after batting just .167 over 60 at-bats while De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees after hitting .191 in 16 games.

But Eli White has been the unlikely savior for a team that started 0-7 and climbed back to a 24-25 record. White has a .274 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 41 games.

“You never know when these guys might click,” manager Brian Snitker said. “You look at Eli … it’s great. Those are great stories when you get a chance to play. He’s another reason that we’ve been playing better.

Until now, White platooned with Alex Verdugo, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta on March 20, and Stuart Fairchild. Going forward, White will platoon with Verdugo in left until Profar returns.

How to watch Braves on Gray

Acuña‘s return will be his season debut of games that air on Braves on Gray, including on Peachtree TV.

Gray Media will simulcast these 15 Atlanta Braves games throughout the Southeast this season.

Fans can watch the Braves on Gray by tuning into PeachtreeTV, Atlanta’s CW Network. Fans can also watch games on YouTube TV, over the air on channel 17.1 and on channel 17 on Dish Network and DirecTV and channel 7 on Xfinity and Spectrum.

If you are in another market outside of Atlanta, you can find your channel at BravesOnGray.com.