ATLANTA, GA – JULY 30: Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts during the MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on July 30th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After Atlanta Braves franchise slugger Ronald Acuna Jr. endured another injury-plagued stretch, he rejoined the lineup at a critical point of the season and fueled a surge into the playoffs.
Acuna’s return from a shin injury earlier this month provided the Braves with more than another dangerous bat down the stretch. His presence changed the feel around the team as Atlanta prepares for October.
“Since Aug. 28, he’s slashed .433/.485/.867 with four homers against pitches at least 95 mph,” Jesus Cano noted for The Athletic. “The production has been important, but so has having Acuna in the lineup.”
Acuna’s impact was apparent to one of his teammates, who explained what Atlanta loses when its oft-injured superstar is not available.
Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II Sends ‘Missing’ Ronald Acuna Jr Injury Message
“When he’s not around, you feel like there’s a missing spark,” Braves outfielder Michael Harris II told Cano of the difference around the team when Acuna is on the injured list. “Then when he comes back, you can feel the energy and the fun, and of course, all the talent that he has when we’re out on the field. I don’t think any team in this league wants to miss a guy like that from being in their lineup.”
Harris and the Braves have certainly experienced what it means to be without Acuna. His lengthy injury history includes two season-ending ACL tears, one in each knee, with the second coming in 2024. He also missed the Braves’ previous World Series run in 2021 after undergoing knee surgery.
This season brought some smaller injury challenges, with Acuna dealing with two separate left hamstring strains. He struggled to find his footing offensively after returning from the second one, but then a subtle adjustment at the plate has helped produce a dramatic turnaround.
Atlanta Braves Superstar Ronald Acuna Jr Makes Big Change Before Postseason
Though Acuna suffered some setbacks this season, he made a significant change and started clicking when it mattered most.
“Acuna entered Tuesday night’s game against the Reds with MLB’s second-best OPS (1.119) going back to Aug. 28, the day he adjusted his stance,” Mark Bowman noted for MLB.com. “His surge has enhanced excitement about what he could do for the National League East champion Braves during the postseason.”
That surge gives Atlanta another dimension heading into October. Acuna’s offensive production will remain important, but Harris’ assessment illustrates why his health means more to the Braves than simply adding another productive player to the lineup.
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