Braves make Ronald Acuña Jr. decision with release of lineup vs. Padres

While disappointing, there is a method to how the Braves are handling Ronald Acuna Jr.

Eric Cole

Jul 4, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) during batting practice before a game against the New York Mets at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Atlanta Braves fans have been very eager to see Ronald Acuña Jr. return from the injured list. After suffering his second hamstring injury of the season, the Braves' lineup has not been the same force it once was, particularly against lefties, where Acuña Jr. hasn't been a threat that opposing teams usually have to account for. After a strong rehab performance down at Triple-A Gwinnett, many were hoping that the Braves would activate Acuña Jr. for Thursday's day game against the Padres.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Braves just released their lineup for getaway day against San Diego, and notably, Acuña Jr. is still not in it. Of note, the Padres did make the last-minute change to start with LHP Kyle Hart on Thursday.

Getaway day ✈️#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/xKDeMJBugn
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 23, 2026

Ronald Acuña Jr. remains on the injured list, but Braves fans won't have to wait long for his activation

While everyone wants to see Acuña Jr. back out there, especially when he is hitting well while out on rehab assignment, activating him for the series finale here was a pretty tall order. With the Braves heading to Baltimore this afternoon after the game, Acuña Jr. would have a tough time getting all of his stuff together to get back out on the road after playing last night and also playing in a day game today.

That is certainly disappointing, and potentially problematic if the Braves can't find some guys to step up against Hart, but the wait shouldn't be long. All the hints we have been getting point to Acuña Jr. checking all the boxes he needs to. It would not be surprising whatsoever for Walt Weiss to mention after today's game that Acuña Jr. will travel with the team on their way to face the Orioles.

Atlanta will just have to figure out how to deal with Acuña Jr.'s absence a little bit longer. Everyone knows that the Braves' offense is a different animal when he is in the lineup and causing havoc, but it is probably for the best that the Braves are not rushing him back this time. After all, the goal is to have Acuña Jr. completely healthy at season's end, and that is definitely more important than this one game against the Padres.

Eric Cole

I started my career writing about baseball covering the Atlanta Braves for SB Nation's Talking Chop back in 2015 which has since been renamed Battery Power. After years of writing for those fine folks, I made the decision to take over as Site Expert at House That Hank Built before becoming a full-time MLB Staff Writer for FanSided in 2023. Along the way, I have been a guest on multiple ESPN radio affiliates as well as 680 The Fan and 92.9 The Game to discuss Braves baseball and especially Braves prospects and was a long-time host on the Battery Power podcast. These days, I continue to write about the Braves as well as covering the Astros, Padres, and Angels with particular expertise with minor league coverage, the MLB Draft, and bashing Anthony Rendon when possible. When I am not writing about or talking about baseball (which is seldom), I am an avid baseball card collector (Maddux and Soroka being my primary personal collections) and I also collect shark teeth. All other sports are mostly dead to me as my Bills have broken my heart too many times.