Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. trending in right direction amid injury recovery

The Atlanta Braves received another encouraging injury update Saturday as Ronald Acuna Jr. continued progressing toward a return from the injured list. The possible return of the superstar outfielder could provide another major boost for a team that has already established itself as one of baseball’s early World Series favorites.

The Braves carry Major League Baseball’s best record into Saturday at 31-14, holding a commanding nine-game lead in the National League East despite playing the past two weeks without Acuna. Atlanta has continued winning consistently during his absence, including Friday night’s extra-innings victory over the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series.

Acuna suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain while running out a ground ball vs. the Colorado Rockies on May 2. Before the injury, the five-time All-Star was batting .252 with 32 hits, two home runs, nine RBIs, and 17 runs scored through 34 games this season.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman took to X, formerly Twitter, sharing a video of Acuna running the bases as part of the next step in his injury recovery.

“Ronald Acuña Jr. is running the bases today. He’d like to be activated with the next few days. As you know, Weiss said they’ll likely wait until Acuña can play the outfield”

Ronald Acuña Jr. is running the bases today. He’d like to be activated with the next few days. As you know, Weiss said they’ll likely wait until Acuña can play the outfield pic.twitter.com/j0Ga1t8han

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 16, 2026

The update reinforces the belief that the outfielder’s recovery continues moving in the right direction, although the Braves appear determined to avoid bringing him back too quickly. Atlanta’s coaching staff reportedly wants Acuna fully comfortable defensively before activating him from the injured list and returning him to everyday action.

Even without Acuna in the lineup, the Braves have remained one of baseball’s hottest teams throughout the early portion of the season and recent winning stretch. However, adding the former MVP back into the batting order could make Atlanta an even more dangerous World Series contender as the summer schedule continues approaching.

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