Ronald Acuña Jr. is just days away from rejoining the Atlanta Braves lineup. Manager Brian Snitker told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman that the All-Star outfielder is expected to be activated “in the next couple of days.”
Acuña has been out since late July with a grade 1 calf strain. Early fears of an Achilles injury gave way to a best-case scenario diagnosis, and he’s looked pain-free for a while now — taking batting practice, fielding, and even running drills in recent days.
With the playoff race out of reach, the Braves have been smart in easing him back, ensuring he’s fully healthy heading into the offseason. In 55 games this year, Acuña is hitting .306 with a 1.005 OPS, 14 home runs, and 26 RBIs.
Austin Riley’s Abdominal Issue Lingers
Not all the news was good, though. Austin Riley is still feeling discomfort when throwing, making it unlikely he’ll be activated this week. The silver lining is this is a when he’ll return situation, not an if.
Riley’s injury — the same abdominal issue that’s landed him on the IL twice this season — flared up again after a diving play in the MLB Speedway Classic. It’s the same type of play that caused his first injury, and the Braves aren’t rushing him back. In 102 games, Riley has hit .260 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs.
With 2025 already lost in the standings, Atlanta can afford patience. For Acuña, it’s about sharpening up before winter. For Riley, it’s about making sure this season’s injuries don’t spill over into next year.
