ATLANTA (AP) 鈥� Braves right fielder Ronald Acu帽a Jr. could be activated from the injured list and return to the lineup for the team’s three-game series in Baltimore starting Friday, Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Thursday.
Acu帽a is scheduled to play Thursday night with Triple-A Gwinnett.
鈥淲e’re just trying to rack up some at-bats for him so that the timing is there when he shows up,鈥� Weiss said following his team’s . 鈥淭here’s certainly a chance we can see him in Baltimore.鈥�
Acu帽a was with a left hamstring strain on June 9, the second time this season it prompted a trip to the IL. Acu帽a missed 15 games in May with the same injury.
鈥淎 lot of it depends on how he performs,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淗e has to feel right about his timing and all that stuff. So I’m hoping he gets a couple of hits tonight and he feels good about it.鈥�
The 2023 MVP has played seven minor league games during his rehab assignment, three with the Braves rookie league affiliate in Florida and four with Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s played the outfield twice and on Wednesday was a designated hitter 鈥� he was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and a stolen base, aggressively running the bases and appearing to be 100%.
鈥淧hysically, he’s good to go,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淭his is all about him being ready to be impactful when he gets here.鈥�
Acu帽a is hitting .251/.373/.793 with 15 stolen bases in 53 games. The Braves are 37-16 with Acu帽a in the lineup and 23-26 without him this season.
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