Walt Weiss provides latest update on Ronald Acuña Jr.

With Drake Baldwin rounding back into form — playing like the best offensive catcher in baseball again — the Braves offense already looks like a totally different beast. Acuña’s return will only make that more obvious, helping the club in more than one way.

Acuña will be an obvious upgrade over what the Braves have been trotting out in right field. It’ll also allow Mauricio Dubon to return to his super-utility role. Atlanta will likely want to keep playing Jim Jarvis on most nights at shortstop to see if his hot start is legitimate, but Dubon becomes an option there moving forward. He can also platoon in left field until the Braves — hopefully — add a right-handed bat at the trade deadline to pair with Mike Yastrzemski.

Baseball is fun again in Atlanta, with the Braves looking like they could put together an incredible second half that sees them back atop the NL East for the first time since 2023.