Initially, Ronald Acuña Jr. was expected to return to the Atlanta Braves lineup in early May, with signs pointing toward a smooth recovery. He was cleared by doctors in Los Angeles on April 15 to begin ramping up his activity — the final step before starting a rehab assignment. However, more than two weeks later, there’s still no official date for that rehab to begin.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, while no firm return schedule has been announced, Acuña could realistically rejoin the team by the end of May. That remains contingent on him progressing well and beginning minor league games soon, as he’ll need time to regain game shape.
The Braves have taken a notably cautious approach with their 2023 NL MVP, and that careful management will likely continue as he eases back into play. Even once he starts his rehab assignment, Acuña will need at least a couple of weeks in the minors before being ready for major-league action.
Despite his absence, the Braves’ offense has thrived lately, rebounding strongly from their 0-7 start and ranking among the league’s best. Still, for sustained success — especially with their current pitching challenges — getting Acuña back healthy is essential.
