Braves Could See Strider and Acuña Reunited in Lineup This Weekend
For the first time since April 5, 2024, the Atlanta Braves may soon have both right-hander Spencer Strider and outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in the lineup together — potentially as early as this weekend.
Strider, recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in his first outing back from elbow surgery, is expected to be activated ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals. He’s scheduled to start that game, which puts him on track to pitch Sunday against the San Diego Padres in what could be a postseason-caliber matchup against Dylan Cease.
Acuña, on the other hand, is nearing the end of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett following his ACL tear last May. According to MLB.com, the reigning NL MVP is likely to rejoin the team in time for the Braves’ weekend homestand.
Off the field, Acuña has recently been in the spotlight after apologizing to manager Brian Snitker and teammates for publicly questioning how he was treated compared to others on the roster.
Strider and Acuña are key pieces for Atlanta’s success. Strider was a 2023 Cy Young finalist, while Acuña dominated the same season en route to MVP honors. In 2024, the duo combined for just 51 appearances — 49 of those by Acuña alone — as injuries hampered both stars.
Their simultaneous return could give the Braves a much-needed boost as they look to solidify their place among the National League’s elite.
The Braves enter Monday with a 24-23 record, putting them five games back in the National League East. Even without some key players, Atlanta has successfully recovered from a dreadful 0-7 start to the season, winning 24 of its last 42 games to right the ship. Caesars puts them at -165 to make the playoffs despite the ugly beginning.
