Overview
- Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters Wednesday that Acuña is "a long way" from returning because the new strain sits in the same spot as his earlier hamstring injury and the club plans to be more cautious this time.
- The issue was diagnosed as a Grade 1 left hamstring strain after Acuña pulled up in a game in early June, and the team placed him on the 10-day injured list to begin a conservative recovery plan.
- Atlanta has already made roster moves tied to the injury, including designating Jhancarlos Lara for assignment and calling up Rowdy Tellez, while relying on depth options such as Eli White, Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo.
- Acuña was slashing .251 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and a .793 OPS across 53 games before the setback, and his absence compounds the loss of fellow outfielder Michael Harris II, reducing the Braves’ offensive and defensive ceiling.
- The team now projects an extended, uncertain timeline for his return that could stretch a month or more and possibly past the All-Star break, a cautious approach meant to lower the risk of another recurrence and protect the club’s long-term roster health.