Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has been sidelined since before the 2021 All-Star Game. Fans awaiting his return will not have to wait much longer.
Speaking during the MLB on FS1 Pregame Show before Saturday’s game between Acuña’s Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that Acuña could be back in action during the first week of May.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is on track to return to the Braves lineup in early May.@Ken_Rosenthal has the latest ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ikL0jD50Hr
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 16, 2022
“The Braves are targeting, loosely, May 6 — the start of a homestand against the Brewers — for Acuña’s return. He could begin a rehabilitation assignment as soon as Tuesday. He probably would play 5-6 innings in the outfield at first, then maybe DH. The idea would be to build him up to nine innings and once they do that, he should be good to go.”
This was welcome news for all baseball fans, particularly fans of the Braves.
so freaking excited!! https://t.co/n9kzqblEyu
— macie.f06 (@flemingm06) April 16, 2022
Music to our ears #Braves fans! https://t.co/9uuErinYT7
— Adam (@Mayvis11) April 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/sourpatchzalich/status/1515413176346632193
Can’t wait to watch a top 3 player in all of baseball win mvp this year https://t.co/4LHjmq4WSk
— D A R R I N (@DarrinKneale) April 16, 2022
THANK GOD https://t.co/4C4QHmBthD
— Dinkleberg (@JoshHansen25) April 16, 2022
Ready to see this again https://t.co/8NKDRRtKyA pic.twitter.com/KgXG6oQ5ug
— Sonni 🪩 (@sonnils42) April 16, 2022
Acuña has been one of baseball’s best players since his rookie season in 2018. Prior to his 2021 injury, he was an MVP candidate, hitting .283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs in 82 games.
The Braves won the World Series in 2021 despite Acuña being sidelined. Atlanta’s start to the 2022 season hasn’t been disastrous but has been inconsistent — especially on offense. Entering Saturday’s game, the Braves were 4-5 and had been held to two runs or fewer in all but one of their losses (when they scored three runs) as well as in one of their wins.
So, Atlanta figures to be getting Acuña back in the lineup at the exact right time.
