As the Atlanta Braves gear up for a pivotal week of NL East matchups, anticipation surrounding the return of their superstar continues to build. Although Ronald Acuña Jr. became eligible to come off the injured list last Wednesday, Atlanta has remained cautious, opting to keep him sidelined until he is fully healthy.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Acuña would not return until the Braves felt confident he was fully ready to handle duties in the outfield. Fortunately for Atlanta, the team’s recent success — continuing to stack series wins — has given the organization the flexibility to remain patient with its cautious approach.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, and with the Braves preparing to head out on the road, another factor has emerged that could delay Acuña’s highly anticipated return for at least a few more days. According to Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, Acuña will travel with the team for its upcoming series against Miami, though the expectation is that he will not be activated before the Braves return home on Friday.
A major reason for the cautious approach is Miami’s turf surface — the same field where Acuña suffered the first significant knee injury of his career. With Atlanta continuing to win series and remain in good position, the organization appears content to prioritize the long-term health of its superstar over rushing his return.
Acuña will travel with the Braves, but the turf in Miami is one of the reasons he likely won’t be activated before the Braves return home on Friday.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 17, 2026
Ronald Acuña Jr. unlikely to be activated in Miami due to concerns about playing him on the Marlins’ outfield turf
As mentioned, the Braves’ league-best 32-15 record has provided enough cushion that rushing Acuña back would seem unnecessary. Atlanta will play four games against the Marlins before returning home for a brief series against the Nationals, and Friday night’s opener against Washington feels like a much more realistic landing spot for Acuña’s long-awaited return.
While Acuña Jr. has not quite looked superhuman to begin the 2026 season, his .362 on-base percentage has been sorely missed at the top of Atlanta’s lineup. Reintroducing Acuña’s dynamic blend of speed and on-base ability could ignite an already dangerous offense, especially now that players like Austin Riley and Mike Yastrzemski are beginning to find their rhythm at the plate.
At this point, the Braves appear focused on the bigger picture. With the best record in baseball and plenty of momentum heading into the heart of the season, Atlanta can afford to be patient with its superstar. Whenever Acuña Jr. ultimately returns, his presence should provide a major spark for an offense that is already leading the league in runs scored. If the Braves continue to get improved production throughout the lineup, Acuña’s eventual return could elevate an already dangerous club into an even more formidable World Series contender.
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