Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. is one step closer to making his return amid a recent hamstring injury. On the eve of the MLB All-Star game, the Braves made an announcement on the status of Acuna and Ha-Seong Kim.
“Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim today begin rehabilitation assignments with the FCL Braves,” the Braves detailed in a July 13, 2026, message on X.
Acuna has not played since June 9, and his latest absence has surpassed the one-month mark. The star is the Braves best player, but unfortunate injuries have defined his career in recent seasons.
The Braves’ next game is against the Texas Rangers on Friday, July 17, after the MLB All-Star break. Could Acuna return to the lineup in the coming days?
“That will be good to get him back,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said of Acuna on July 8, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “It’s a right-handed bat we probably need in our lineup. He’s obviously a great player.
“Even when he’s not performing at his highest level, he’s a presence and there’s a trickle-down effect when you have to deal with him at the top of the order.”
Braves Star Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Injury Not as ‘Severe’ as Recent Issues
Despite the Braves’ inconsistent recent form, Atlanta’s hot start has the team heading into the All-Star break with a two-game lead in the NL East. When Acuna’s injury initially occurred, the Braves described the issue as not “as severe” as recent injuries.
“Grade 1, so it’s not terrible, but enough where we had to IL him,” Weiss noted on June 10, per MLB.com. “We’d be waiting around a while, playing shorthanded if we were waiting for it to heal. So we went ahead and put him on the IL.
“Like I said, I don’t think it’s as severe as the last one, but still going to need some time.”
The Braves Have 5 Players in the MLB All-Star Game
Acuna will not be suiting up at the MLB All-Star Game, but the Braves are still well represented. Atlanta has the following five players who made the All-Star game: catcher Drake Baldwin, second baseman Ozzie Albies, first baseman Matt Olson, starting pitcher Chris Sale and closer Raisel Iglesias.
There is some optimism that the All-Star game could give the Braves a boost. Baldwin admits that his confidence has risen since receiving the honor.
“I sat back, it’s like, ‘I’m an All-Star,’’’ Baldwin noted, per The Athletic’s Jesus Cano. “I can have the confidence that I am one of the better players in the league.
“The confidence and self-belief definitely helps me.”
Braves Matt Olson Made History Before MLB All-Star Game
One thing that has helped the Braves during Acuna’s injury challenges has been Olson’s availability. Olson recently broke the franchise record with 741 consecutive appearances and counting.
“At some point, you start to take it for granted because he’s just out there every day,” Weiss remarked on Olson’s streak, per MLB.com. “But it’s truly amazing what he’s doing.
“To put together a streak that long, you have to play well, or the manager usually gives you a day off here and there. He’s performed through it all. He’s played with broken bones. He’s just a great example for his teammates to look up to.”
Braves Announce Ronald Acuna Jr. News Less Than 48 Hours Before MLB All-Star Game