NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� The Atlanta Braves activated outfielder Ronald Acu帽a Jr. from the injured list on Monday after the 2023 National League MVP missed almost seven weeks with a left hamstring strain.
Acu帽a started in right field, batted leadoff and went 1 for 4 in in the opener of a three-game series.
In his first at-bat, Acu帽a laced a 107.8 mph single to center field and scored on an infield single by Ozzie Albies. Acu帽a also struck out twice and bounced into a double play in the fifth after fouling a ball off his leg.
鈥淗e made his presence felt right away in the first and scores a run,鈥� Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. 鈥淪o yeah, it’s good to have him back.鈥�
The five-time All-Star is hitting .251 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and 15 steals. His season has been shortened by two hamstring injuries. He missed 15 games in May with the same injury.
鈥淢y timing is good,鈥� Acu帽a said. 鈥淚 was so excited.鈥�
When Acu帽a was on June 9, the Braves topped the majors with a 45-23 record and led the NL East by eight games over Philadelphia. Atlanta struggled in June without Acu帽a but has rebounded following the All-Star break and at 62-44 leads the second-place Phillies by 5 1/2 games.
鈥淚 think having him back is good thing for us,鈥� Atlanta starting pitcher Mart铆n P茅rez said.
Acu帽a also has suffered two serious knee injuries in his career. He sustained a season-ending in his left knee in May 2024 and midway through the 2021 season.
Though Acu帽a split time in his rehabilitation stint at designated hitter and in the outfield, Weiss recently said he expects Acu帽a will play primarily in right, his normal position.
The Braves optioned outfielder Brewer Hicklen to Triple-A Gwinnett.
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