Brian Snitker gives amazing injury update on Ronald Acuña

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. dodged a bullet with his latest injury.

Acuña’s suffered multiple injuries so far this season despite an MVP-caliber campaign, including a wrist and now ankle ailment. The latter threatened to send him to the injured list, but Brian Snitker assured Braves fans that wasn’t necessary on Friday, even saying Acuña could potentially return as soon as Saturday.

Per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, “Snitker said Acuña’s ankle was still sore today. But he’s not ruling out the possibility of him playing tomorrow.”

Without Acuña in the lineup, the Braves will take on the Milwaukee Brewers shorthanded. Ehire Adrianza, playing right field, will be in the leadoff spot.

Atlanta Braves falling behind in National League East without Ronald Acuña

Without Acuña for another game, the Braves now sit four games back in the NL East, with the surging Mets — winners of seven straight games — taking a stranglehold on the division.

Acuña isn’t the only Braves outfielder dealing with injury concerns, as Cristian Pache was placed on the injured list on Thursday. Ender Inciarte will make his return to the lineup to cover for Pache, but the Braves could consider making another move to bolster their outfield depth should they have more bad injury luck.

Atlanta was only projected to win 86 games per PECOTA before the season began, and baseball fans were surprised by that number. More than a month in the year, and perhaps the Braves have more holes than we initially realized despite coming one game from winning the pennant last season.