ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves reinstated outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
Catcher Sandy León was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for Acuña on the roster.
Acuña, who is hitting .306 with 14 homers in 55 games, went on the injured list on July 30 after injuring his calf against Kansas City.
He’ll bat third and start in right field on Friday against the Guardians.
Acuña missed the start of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL injury suffered in 2024. He returned May 23 and immediately made his presence known with a 467-foot home run on the very first pitch he saw.
This latest injury, initially diagnosed as an Achilles issue, sidelined him for just over two weeks. He was able to return without going on a rehab assignment.
The Braves have seen their fair share of injuries this year, which have contributed to their struggles in 2025. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been decimated, with their entire Opening Day starting rotation on the IL. Chris Sale (rib), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), AJ Smith-Shawver and Grant Holmes (elbow) are all on the 60-day IL.
Sale began his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Gwinnett and will make his second start on Sunday as he nears a return to Atlanta’s rotation. While Smith-Shawver and Holmes are officially ruled out this season, manager Brian Snitker has been less optimistic recently about Schwellenbach pitching again this season.
Atlanta is 53-68 and will likely miss the postseason for the first time since 2017.