Braves: After latest injury, Ronald Acuña return really can’t wait

Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña is expected to return in early May, but after Eddie Rosario’s injury, his team is on life support.

Rosario will undergo eye surgery, which would explain his poor start to the season at the plate. He will be forced out for a couple months, at least.

With one of their outfielders now on the mend, Atlanta needs Acuña back more than ever. Ronnie has made his way up the Braves’ minor-league ranks (in a rehab assignment, mind you), with his last stop underway in Triple-A Gwinnett.

Acuña has played quite well there, and even took some reps in the outfield. Braves manager Brian Snitker admitted how badly the team needs their star back in the lineup just a few short days ago.

“That will be a big boost for us,” said Snitker to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “When he comes back, our lineup is going to get longer and we’re going to slot some guys in some better places. Hopefully, that rehab continues to go well and we get him back and who knows what might happen?”

Braves outfield is lacking without Ronald Acuña

Now that Rosario is out, the Braves starting outfield is Marcell Ozuna, Adam Duvall and Guillermo Heredia. That doesn’t inspire much confidence in a team that was highlighted for the wrong reasons in the latest edition of FanSided’s Power Rankings.

Snitker’s latest update on Acuña also included a hopeful tone, signaling that the perennial All-Star candidate is making progress in the outfield and at the plate.

“He’s all over the place, getting after it and really having a ball,” said Snitker. “[This] week will be big, because I think he’s scheduled to play lengthy defensive games in like three out of four games. At the end of the week, I think we’ll have a really good read on where his body is.”

Assuming all goes according to plan, Acuña could be in the majors again by May 6.