The Atlanta Braves will head into the All-Star break hoping Ronald Acuña Jr.’s latest absence is nearing an end. One month after the former National League MVP was sidelined with another left hamstring injury, Atlanta has continued to navigate life without its franchise cornerstone.
Acuña has not appeared in a game since June 9, when he aggravated the injury while running out a ground ball against the Chicago White Sox. The setback forced the Braves to place him back on the 10-day injured list and extended his absence through the All-Star break.
The injury has added to what has been another frustrating season for Acuña. He first strained the same left hamstring on May 2, returned on May 19, then suffered the aggravation less than three weeks later.
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The 28-year-old outfielder has now missed 42 games this season, appearing in just 53, while batting .251 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and a .793 OPS.
There has been some encouraging news, however. As the Braves prepare for the second half of the season, the club announced that Acuña and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will begin a rehab assignment Monday with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves, marking another big step toward their return.
The timing is welcome for a Braves team that enters the break at 55-40 after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Atlanta stumbled after losing its superstar, going 10-18 during his current stint on the injured list. Even so, the club remains firmly in the National League playoff race and getting Acuña back will be its topmost priority for the stretch run.
A healthy Acuña changes the complexion of Atlanta’s lineup. After injuries have interrupted each of the last several seasons, the Braves will be hoping there are no setbacks during the final stretch.
Atlanta will be back in action at home against the Texas Rangers on July 17, and Acuna could return early in the second half (h/t Zach Sweet of MLB.com).
