Braves reveal lineup upon Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return

Ronald Acuña Jr. is back in the Atlanta Braves lineup after missing the last two games.

Atlanta Braves fans should celebrate, as right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is back in the starting lineup.

Acuña has not played since straining his abdominal muscle going back to the first base bag on a pickoff attempt Sunday night. While he would go around to score, Acuña was removed from the series finale vs. the Chicago Cubs nearly a week ago. Acuña was held out of the Braves’ last two games vs. the New York Yankees for precautionary reasons, as well as due to the cold weather.

With four days’ worth of rest, Acuña will officially make his triumphant return to the lineup Friday.

Atlanta Braves lineup upon Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Friday return

1. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. 1B Freddie Freeman
3. LF Marcell Ozuna
4. 2B Ozzie Albies
5. SS Dansby Swanson
6. CF Guillermo Heredia
7. 3B Austin Riley
8. C Alex Jackson
9. SP Huascar Ynoa

As expected, Acuña will bat leadoff and play right field for Atlanta. Freddie Freeman will hit second and play first base. Left fielder Marcell Ozuna slots in the No. 3 hole. Second baseman Ozzie Albies will be hitting cleanup. Shortstop Dansby Swanson bats fifth vs. the team who drafted him in the Arizona Diamondbacks. Center fielder Guillermo Heredia will round out the middle of the order.

Austin Riley will hit seventh and play third base. The battery tonight for Atlanta will be Alex Jackson behind the dish batting eighth and right-hander Huascar Ynoa batting ninth. Atlanta may only be 8-10 on the season, but the Braves are only one game back of the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East lead. Getting a series victory over the Snakes will really help.

With Acuña back in right field and hitting leadoff, Braves Country can be excited about Friday night.