Right fielder Ronald Acuna returned to the top of the Braves’ lineup Friday for the series opener against the Diamondbacks.
Acuna missed both games in New York against the Yankees after suffering a mild abdominal strain during Sunday’s game against the Cubs. Acuna underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the mild strain, and he avoided a stint on the injured list.
The Braves’ early MVP candidate wound up missing only two games because the brief series in New York was surrounded by two off days, giving Acuna more time to rest. The Braves opened a seven-game homestand Friday.
“He had a good workout yesterday here (in Atlanta),” manager Brian Snitker said. “He did all the throwing, running, sliding into first base. He hit five or six rounds. Everything looked really, really good yesterday. We wanted to see that and work him out. I felt good about (him playing Friday) after being out here yesterday and talking to him.”
While it’s been a mediocre start for the 8-10 Braves, it certainly hasn’t been for Acuna. In 16 games, he’s hit .419/.486/.887 with seven homers, 16 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He’s also 3-for-3 in stolen bases. He leads the majors in average, homers, slugging percentage and OPS (1.373). Acuna is the reigning National League player of the week after hitting .383/.515/.846 with 13 runs, 10 hits and eight RBIs in seven games.
The Braves are slowly getting healthier. Lefty Drew Smyly will return Saturday and start his first game since April 11. Outfielder Cristian Pache has started logging at-bats at the alternate site, Snitker said, as he works his way back from a groin strain. Reliever Chris Martin is making encouraging progress in his comeback from right-shoulder inflammation.
