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Braves Nearing Controversial Ronald Acuña Jr. Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 10:54 AM ET

Here’s a great question for Atlanta Braves fans: Would you rather avoid losing 90 games, or would you rather enter the offseason feeling confident that Ronald Acuña Jr. will be in next year’s Opening Day lineup?

We know how we would vote, and we also feel confident in guessing which option most Braves fans would choose.

Evidently, Braves manager Brian Snitker would prefer to try losing 88 games rather than 92. Despite the 47-66 Braves sitting 15 games back of a playoff spot, all signs point to Acuña rejoining the lineup later this month if he avoids any setbacks. Snitker told reporters earlier this week that Acuña, who hit the injured list last week with a calf strain, took swings in the batting cage on Monday.

Snitker added that the fourth-place Braves plan to activate Acuña when he is pain-free.

As exciting a player as Acuña is, there is zero reason why he should play again this season. Acuña missed the first two months while recovering from his second torn ACL since the start of 2021, and the Braves would be foolish to have him risk further injury amid a lost year.

To be clear, we want to see Acuña play, especially after he tallied 2.6 bWAR in nearly 250 plate appearances. Acuña owns a .306 average, 14 home runs, and a 1.005 OPS, and he remains one of the league’s most exciting players.

However, just because we want something doesn’t mean that we need it. The Braves are better off telling the likes of Acuña, Chris Sale (fractured ribs), and third baseman Austin Riley (abdominal strain) to rest up and start getting ready for 2026.

Instead, the 36-year-old Sale is expected to return to Atlanta’s rotation later this month. It’s almost as if the Braves’ eyes are already set on 2027, given how eager they are to put their best players at risk.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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