Braves Make Ronald Acuna Jr. Announcement After 83 Games

Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images

Braves Make Ronald Acuna Jr. Announcement After 83 Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Aug 30, 2026 12:13 PM ET

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has started to look more like himself during the team’s current series against the Colorado Rockies.

He was given a day off during a crucial series against the Los Angeles Dodgers to get back into the right mindset, and throughout his first two games against Colorado it has showed. He has reached base six times in just two games, swiped a bag and recorded one extra-base hit.

On the year, Acuna has posted a .236 batting average, .340 on-base percentage, .749 OPS, 13 home runs and 35 RBIs across 83 games. He has missed plenty of time due to a recurring left hamstring strain that has forced him to the injured list on two separate occasions.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Acuna’s lower body setbacks have been piling up, leading to Weiss frequently moving him to designated hitter as opposed to right field since his return.

Getting at-bats at DH keeps him off his feet, and this year Acuna has not looked as mobile in right field. Statcast’s Baseball Savant backs that up, as he has posted a fielding run value of -5.

However, it appears Acuna may have turned a corner. He showcased his range during the series against the Rockies, making a great running catch in right-center field and crashing into the wall, showing he still has it and may be at full strength for the first time all season.

Weiss announced the plan for Acuna’s role for the rest of the season before Sunday’s series finale, addressing whether he would continue to play designated hitter instead of right field.

“The way he’s moving right now, I don’t see any DH for him in the near future,” Weiss said (h/t Harrison Smajovits of On SI).

I asked Walt Weiss about Acuña moving between RF and DH after how he’s played lately

“The way he’s moving right now, I’d don’t see any DH for him in the near future.” #Braves
— Harrison Smajovits (@HarrisonSmaj) August 29, 2026

That is genuinely encouraging news for Atlanta, knowing their five-time All-Star is feeling his best physically as October gets closer.

Acuna is also picking up at the plate, and if he returns to anywhere near his 2023 NL MVP form, the Braves could emerge as the favorites to come out of the National League.