When Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to play after returning from IL

The Atlanta Braves welcomed Ronald Acuna Jr. back from the injured list Monday, although the superstar outfielder expected to return to the lineup Tuesday night vs. the Miami Marlins. The move gave another boost to a Braves team that continues leading the National League East during an impressive early-season run.

The Braves reinstated Acuna from the 10-day injured list after he missed time with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain suffered earlier this month. To create roster space, Atlanta placed infielder Kyle Farmer on the injured list with a strained right forearm.

Acuna’s return comes during another dominant stretch for Atlanta. The Braves enter the week with a record of 32-15 while holding the best record in the National League and a commanding lead in the NL East. The team has also lost only one series all season despite playing without Acuna since May 3.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman shared additional details on his X, formerly Twitter, account Monday in a quote tweet of the Braves’ original announcement of Acuna’s reinstatement from the injured list, including comments from manager Walt Weiss explaining why he is expected to return Tuesday.

“Weiss said yesterday the Braves were hesitant to have Acuña play on Miami’s turf. But the club had actually decided they would activate him tomorrow. After he worked out well today, they moved that plan up a day. Acuña isn’t in today’s lineup, but he will likely be tomorrow”

Weiss said yesterday the Braves were hesitant to have Acuña play on Miami’s turf. But the club had actually decided they would activate him tomorrow. After he worked out well today, they moved that plan up a day. Acuña isn’t in today’s lineup, but he will likely be tomorrow https://t.co/w3PfzIrDJy

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 18, 2026

The update clarified why the Braves chose to delay their star’s return to game action despite activating him Monday. The organization reportedly wanted additional confidence in his movement and overall comfort level before allowing him to play defensively on Miami’s artificial turf surface.

Even without Acuna in the lineup, Atlanta has remained one of baseball’s hottest teams throughout the opening months of the season. If he returns Tuesday as expected, the Braves could make an already dangerous lineup even more potent heading into an important divisional stretch.

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