According to a video shared by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Acuna has advanced to running bases, suggesting his return to the active roster is drawing closer. However, the organization has yet to establish a definitive target date, as manager Walt Weiss noted that he must clear the hurdle of playing the outfield before being activated.

Even without Acuna anchoring the lineup, the Braves have barely skipped a beat during the opening stretch of the regular season. Their performance proves that this powerhouse franchise is built to thrive, maintaining elite status with or without their star hitter in the mix.

Following an emotional series where Los Angeles Dodgers icon Freddie Freeman looked back on his career milestones, Atlanta is locked in on keeping its regular-season momentum alive. Adding a healthy Acuna back into the equation will only amplify its potent attack.

What is the expectation for Acuna’s return?

With the dynamic outfielder already checking boxes by running the bases, some analysts speculate that Acuña could be targeting a return for the upcoming series against the Washington Nationals, which is scheduled to kick off on May 22.

Ultimately, his activation will depend entirely on how his knee responds to outfield drills. Weiss emphasized that defensive tracking and lateral movement represent the final steps in his rehab progression for the Braves, who wrap up their current series against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

Acuna’s impact in the regular season

Before landing on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain on May 3, Acuna Jr. was having a relatively quiet power stretch by his standards, though his elite on-base skills remained perfectly intact.

Here are his official stats for the 2026 regular season:

After the game, Freeman reflected on his approach at the plate and the work behind his recent form. “I haven’t done that in a month,” Freeman said, according to MLB.com. “To put a swing like that … obviously, my work has been better the last few days.”

The sixth-inning solo home run off Chris Sale gave the Dodgers key insurance and continued Freeman’s strong production against his former team. Since joining Los Angeles, he has posted six home runs and a .977 OPS versus the Braves, maintaining consistent impact in one of the most closely followed matchups of the season.

Freeman credits small mechanical adjustment for improved timing

Freeman’s recent success has been tied to a subtle mechanical change introduced during a previous series in Houston. He has incorporated a foot turn in his stance to help keep his hips closed longer, allowing him to track pitches deeper into the strike zone.

The adjustment has not required a full overhaul of his approach, but rather a refinement designed to improve timing and consistency. That focus on small corrections has helped him stabilize his swing during stretches of uneven production earlier in the season.

“I’ve always done little tweaks mentally [and] externally,” Freeman said. “This time, I just did a foot turn. I’ve thought sometimes you got to think differently up in the box. And I went with a foot turn in. And it’s worked.”

Dodgers combine pitching depth and timely offense in win over Braves

While Freeman’s homer highlighted the night, Los Angeles also delivered a complete team performance. Emmet Sheehan provided a solid start, striking out seven batters over 4 1/3 innings while allowing just one earned run against a potent Atlanta lineup.

The bullpen followed with 4 2/3 scoreless innings, with Alex Vesia, Kyle Hurt, Will Klein, and Brock Stewart combining to limit the Braves to just three hits in the final frames. Tanner Scott closed out the win in the ninth inning.

Offensively, the Dodgers built early support through execution, as Tucker drove in Teoscar Hernandez in the second inning and Shohei Ohtani added an RBI single in the fifth after a defensive error extended the inning.

For Freeman, the milestone home run served as both a personal achievement and a key moment in a low-scoring win that reflected the Dodgers’ ability to execute in all phases against elite competition.

Before Friday’s matchup, Braves manager Walt Weiss, who recenyly backed Acuña Jr, delivered a cautiously optimistic update on Acuña’s recovery timeline. “Acuña coming off the IL when eligible on Wednesday seems optimistic,” Weiss said, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “When asked, Weiss said Ronald still has some boxes to check. That being said, the fact he was doing some agility work today indicates his IL stint shouldn’t be too long.”

The update comes as encouraging news for Atlanta, which has managed to build early-season momentum despite uneven production from Acuña prior to his injury. Through 34 games, the 28-year-old posted a .252 batting average with a .362 on-base percentage, two home runs, nine RBIs, and a .740 OPS, while also leading MLB with four caught stealings—raising early questions about his base-running efficiency following multiple ACL recoveries.

Acuña Jr. progressing through rehab as Braves monitor recovery

Acuña’s injury occurred in early May during a game against the Colorado Rockies, when he attempted to beat out a ground ball and immediately grabbed his left hamstring. He was placed on the 10-day injured list shortly after, though initial MRI results brought relief to the organization by revealing no significant structural damage.

Since then, Acuña has begun ramping up baseball activity, including agility work on the field, signaling steady progress in his recovery. While his eligibility to return is approaching, Atlanta’s coaching staff is clearly prioritizing long-term health over an immediate activation, especially given his importance to the lineup.

The Braves understand that even without peak production from their superstar, they remain in a strong position within the National League standings. However, the expectation is that Acuña’s return could elevate the offense to another level once he is fully cleared.

Braves’ championship ceiling rises with potential Acuña return

Despite his current absence, Acuña’s track record underscores why his return is viewed as a potential turning point for Atlanta’s season. Across his career, he has accumulated a National League Rookie of the Year award, an MVP season during his historic 40-home run, 70-stolen base campaign, five All-Star selections, and three Silver Slugger awards.

For now, the focus remains on patience and progression. But the early signs suggest the Braves may not have to wait much longer to welcome their franchise cornerstone back into the lineup.

“He just hasn’t found that consistency where he gets rolling, but it will be loud when he does… He’s getting really close,” Weiss said after the game, via reporter Alison Mastrangelo. “Our offense has been really good, and we can dream big if Ronald gets rolling, it will be fun to watch.”

Acuña’s production has been solid but below his usual standards. Through 113 at-bats this season, he is hitting .248 with two home runs, nine RBIs, and six stolen bases, along with a .360 on-base percentage and .741 OPS. However, his recent performance—going 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored against Detroit—suggests signs of progress, especially after Acuña Jr. recently suffered a hit-by-pitch scare.

Braves winning with depth and balanced offense

Atlanta’s success during this stretch has been fueled by contributions across the lineup. In Tuesday’s win, Ozzie Albies delivered a two-run home run, while Mike Yastrzemski added two hits and an RBI to support the offense.

On the mound, Martin Perez (2-1) continued his strong form, allowing just two hits and striking out five while lowering his ERA to 2.22. The performance marked Atlanta’s 11th win in their last 13 games, reinforcing the team’s ability to generate results even without peak output from Acuña.

Acuña’s potential could elevate Braves further

Weiss’ comments reflect a broader organizational belief that Acuña’s breakout is imminent. His track record and recent signs of improvement point toward a likely surge that could significantly raise the team’s offensive ceiling. If Acuña returns to his typical level of production, the Braves could become an even more complete contender.

Braves manager Walt Weiss later delivered a reassuring update, confirming that Acuña did not suffer a serious injury. “Ronnie is OK. X-rays were negative. He’s going to be fine,” Weiss said, according to MLB.com. Acuña was hit on the left hand in the sixth inning and left the game as a precaution after initial swelling.

The Braves are already dealing with several pitching injuries from Spring Training, making any scare involving Acuña especially concerning. Atlanta also recently brought back Luke Williams on a familiar depth move, while improving its MLB-best record to 16 wins and sharing the top mark in baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Braves take cautious approach with Acuña after hit-by-pitch

The Braves chose to remove Acuña from the game after noticing swelling in his hand. The decision was made to avoid any risk, even though early tests were encouraging.

“It was swelling up pretty good, so we just got him out of there,” Weiss explained. He also noted there were no immediate plans for an MRI, a positive sign given past injury concerns involving hand hits in the league.

Atlanta offense stays strong despite injury concern

Even with Acuña’s early exit, the Braves continued to perform at a high level on offense. Matt Olson delivered a key home run, while Michael Harris II and Drake Baldwin added important hits during a big scoring inning.

The team’s depth has been a major strength early in the season, helping them stay competitive even with injuries in the pitching staff. For now, the focus remains on Acuña’s recovery, with optimism that he could return to the lineup soon.

According to MLB.com’s transactions tracker, Williams also appeared in Thursday’s game as a pinch runner after rejoining the organization. The move comes shortly after he was designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and briefly elected free agency following his most recent stint on Atlanta’s roster.

Since joining the Braves in 2023, Williams has repeatedly moved between the majors, waivers, and free agency before returning to the club, reflecting how the organization values his versatility as depth across multiple positions.

Braves lean on versatility amid depth limitations

Williams brings extensive defensive flexibility, having played every position except catcher during his MLB career. Offensively, he holds a career line of .212/.272/.280 across 350 plate appearances, along with 25 stolen bases, highlighting his value as a speed option off the bench.

Atlanta’s decision also reflects its current roster structure. With limited optionable position-player depth, the Braves have leaned on experienced utility players to maintain flexibility between the majors and Triple-A.

Familiar path continues for veteran utility man

Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015, Williams has carved out a journeyman career that has included stops with multiple MLB organizations, including the San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Braves.

For Atlanta, the move is less about immediate impact and more about maintaining roster stability during a long season, with Williams once again filling a familiar role within the organization’s depth structure.

The team confirmed the move in a Thursday morning roster update, outlining several transactions while also noting Strider’s status. “Additionally, RHP Spencer Strider tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with High-A Rome,” the Braves announced, as part of their official roster moves.

After Sean Murphy started rehab, Strider, 27, has been sidelined since early in the 2026 season while working his way back from injury. After dealing with limited availability in recent years, Atlanta has taken a cautious approach with his recovery, ensuring he is fully ready before rejoining the major‑league staff.

Braves managing Strider’s workload carefully

The Braves are expected to closely monitor Strider’s innings and pitch count throughout his rehab assignment. The focus remains on rebuilding rhythm and consistency rather than rushing him back into game action.

Given his importance to the rotation, Atlanta has prioritized long-term health over short-term urgency. While no exact return date has been set, the start of a rehab assignment is typically one of the final stages before activation.

Even with multiple pitching injuries this season, the Braves have remained competitive in the National League East, relying on depth and strong overall performance to stay in contention.

Rotation boost approaching for Atlanta

Strider’s eventual return would represent a major reinforcement for a Braves staff that has managed to stay steady despite setbacks. If his rehab progresses without issues, Strider could rejoin the rotation soon, providing a significant lift as the Braves continue their push in the division race.

The update came as part of a series of roster moves shared by the organization. “Additionally, C Sean Murphy tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with High-A Rome,” the Braves announced on X, confirming that the veteran catcher is ready to resume game action in the minors.

Murphy has been sidelined since undergoing hip surgery during the offseason, forcing him to miss the start of the 2026 campaign. His absence is part of a broader wave of injuries that has tested Atlanta early in the season, while the pitching staff continues to deliver strong performances, as highlighted in Braves manager Walt Weiss praises rotation after Grant Holmes’ dominant start.

Braves take important step toward Murphy’s return

Murphy’s rehab assignment is a significant development for a team that has managed to stay competitive despite injuries. The process will allow him to gradually build up his workload while regaining timing at the plate and behind it.

The Braves are expected to monitor his progress closely, ensuring he is fully ready before returning to the major league roster. As with most rehab assignments, the timeline will depend on how he responds in game situations.

Despite missing several key contributors, Atlanta has opened the season in strong form. The Braves currently sit at 10–7 and in first place in the NL East, showing resilience while navigating early roster challenges.

The brawl, which ignited near the pitcher’s mound, has triggered a league investigation. MLB officials are reportedly focusing on three critical criteria as they determine the severity of the impending suspensions and fines.

Based on precedent for high-profile brawls, the league is reportedly reviewing the incident through the following lens:

• Instigation: Officials are reportedly identifying the primary aggressor who initiated physical contact.
• Prior history: The league strictly penalizes repeat offenders; a clean record can often mitigate the length of a ban.
• Injury status: The presence of injuries resulting from the fight significantly heightens the likelihood of a long-term suspension.

Identifying which player may be held responsible

This answers to the following factors will likely determine the severity of the disciplinary action for either Angels or Braves‘ player:

• The Instigator: Video replay appears to show Soler initiating the violence, throwing the first punch at Lopez after a heated exchange.
• Disciplinary Record: Fortunately for both players, neither has a significant history of on-field violence or previous ejections for fighting.
• Injuries: While no official injuries have been reported, the league is closely examining footage of Lopez, who appeared to strike back while still clutching the baseball, a move that often leads to increased disciplinary action.

Potential disciplinary fallout

Because both players engaged in overt acts of violence, the MLB Disciplinary Committee is expected to be firm. Based on recent league history, Soler and Lopez could be facing 6-to-10 game suspensions and fines ranging from $25,000 to $50,000.

While both players maintain the right to appeal the league’s ruling—which could potentially reduce the number of games served—fines are rarely rescinded. The final decision now rests with league officials, who are currently interviewing the umpiring crew and reviewing high-angle Hawk-Eye footage to capture any verbal provocations that may have sparked the chaos.

“When you get good starts, the game tends to just fall into place,” Weiss said after the victory according to MLB.com, highlighting the contribution of both Holmes and the lineup.

After Albies highlighted the ABS impact, Holmes’ performance capped a strong start for Atlanta’s rotation, which leads the National League with a 2.06 ERA, while the bullpen has allowed just four earned runs over 28 1/3 innings (1.27 ERA).

Rotation showing early promise

Holmes returned after missing the final two months of 2025 with elbow issues, including a partially torn UCL and flexor tendon. He averaged 95.2 mph with his four-seamer and touched 96.9 mph twice, completing six scoreless innings.

“There’s always concern when guys have missed big chunks of time,” Weiss added. “They’ve been great so far. I can’t be more pleased with our starting pitching.”

Holmes’ return adds stability

Holmes’ offseason forearm work has him confident and effective, giving the Braves a reliable arm as they navigate early rotation depth challenges. Early results suggest Atlanta’s pitching staff could be the team’s biggest strength in 2026.

“I’m happy they have that system… that changed the whole game,” Albies said via MLB.com, underscoring just how pivotal his successful challenge turned out to be.

What should have been a strikeout on a full-count pitch instead became a walk after ABS showed the ball missed the zone. That single moment kept the inning alive, and set off a chain reaction that fueled one of Atlanta’s most explosive frames in recent memory.

ABS decision shifts momentum instantly

The overturned call not only extended the inning but also appeared to affect the flow of the game. What could have been the third out instead became the starting point of sustained pressure on Arizona’s pitching staff.

Atlanta capitalized quickly, with key hits from Matt Olson and Austin Riley driving in runs, while additional walks and timely contact kept the inning going. Even another overturned call later in the frame helped extend the rally, showing how multiple moments tied back to that initial challenge.

Technology proves decisive in modern game

The Braves’ outburst highlighted how technology like ABS can directly influence outcomes beyond just a single pitch. What seemed like a routine strikeout instead became a turning point that reshaped the entire inning and widened the gap on the scoreboard.

For Atlanta, the result was a dominant victory and a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift. For Albies, it reinforced the growing role of ABS in today’s game — where one review can change everything.