The Atlanta Braves had to be feeling pretty good about their chances on Tuesday. They had just dominated the Blue Jays in the first game of the series and had Spencer Schwellenbach on the mound. Unfortunately, Schwellenbach had his first rough start of the season and the offense was never able to catch up against Kevin Gausman in what turned into a 6-3 loss.
It was a bummer to be sure, but good news for the Braves is (hopefully) on the way. After quite a long wait, Spencer Strider is expected to return from the injured list and with the latest updates, it seems like Atlanta is finally getting healthy and slowly rounding into form.
Braves News: Ronald Acuna Jr. cleared for next phase of rehab
Thus far, Ronald Acuna Jr.'s rehab from his second major knee surgery has gone according to plan. He has passed every test and has looked very good in the limited footage we have of his recovery including hitting some absolute tanks in spring training. The only hurdle left was drills that tested his ability to make cuts and the Braves got good news there.
After it was widely reported earlier that Acuna Jr. would meet with doctors this week to discuss next steps, we got word on Tuesday that Ronnie was indeed cleared by his doctors to ramp up his baseball activities. It will take a couple weeks for that to happen and from there, a minor league rehab assignment comes next. As of now, a return in the middle of May is still very much on the table.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was cleared to ramp up activity and begin progressing toward a rehab assignment. No timetable, but seems like he’s on schedule to return at some point in the next month, as we’d originally thought.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) April 15, 2025
Braves News: Austin Riley's heater lately deserves more attention
One of the Braves' many hitters that started the 2025 season rather slowly was Austin Riley. He only had two hits through the team's first six games and was hitting a paltry .091 on April 1. Fortunately for him and the Braves, he has turned things around in a big way.
Since April 2, Riley has been a man on a mission with a .396/.420/.708 line with four homers in 50 plate appearances across 11 games. Riley also has multi-hit games in seven out of his last eight. The rest of the lineup is going to have to wake up soon, but Riley's bounce back from a rough start gives hope that this offense can finally get going.
Braves News: Spencer Strider's impending return means we will get a roster move today
Braves fans are yearning for some positivity right now and Spencer Strider's return is certainly an opportunity. Coming off a serious (and weird) elbow injury, Strider has looked like a man on a mission during his rehab assignment and everyone is eager to see him back to help Atlanta turn things around.
That return is supposed to happen on Wednesday, but we have yet to see a roster move to make things officially. The smart money is on a short-term move like sending reliever Zach Thompson, who just threw multiple innings on Tuesday and didn't make the Opening Day roster, down the majors to make room for now. However, don't be surprised if the Braves opt to ship Bryce Elder out instead as their more permanent roster solution.