Ronald Acuña Jr. takes big step to returning

While the Braves were busy getting over .500 for the first time all season (doesn’t that feel good to say), Ronald Acuña Jr. continued his rehab assignment on the farm with the Gwinnett Stripers.

It was not as exciting a night as Thursday for the 2023 NL MVP, when he went 2-for-3 while logging a couple of batted balls well over 100 MPH. Acuña finished 0-for-2 with two walks, but he did score a couple of runs, and once again, smoked a couple of baseballs that just didn’t find a hole.

However, the bigger story is Acuña playing on back-to-back nights for the first time since his rehab assignment began. He only played six innings in the field, but that’s still a major step forward in getting back to Atlanta, and Saturday, he’s expected to play again as a designated hitter.

At this pace, a nine-inning outing in the field seems to be around the corner. Once Ronald Acuña Jr. does that in back-to-back days, the Braves should feel comfortable calling him up to the majors for what will be an incredible evening, one that could take place as early as next week when Atlanta plays host to the San Diego Padres at Truist Park.

If I were you, I would go ahead and start looking at those ticket prices. You’re not going to want to miss the electricity in the building when Acuña takes the field for the first time in what will be a calendar year.