ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 04: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves stands on the field before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park on June 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been nearly a month since Ronald Acuña Jr. went down with his second Grade One left hamstring strain across the span of two months and the Atlanta Braves have kept to their word when it comes to making sure that Acuña eases back into things following the latest strain.
As such, there weren’t many expectations that the Braves would try to rush to get Acuña back in action before the break and he will indeed make his return after the All-Star break. The good news is that we may not have to wait long after the break to see Acuña make his return to action since Mark Bowman of MLB.com is reporting that Walt Weiss believes that Acuña could go out on rehab assignment as soon as next week.
Weiss said Ronald Acuña Jr. could begin his rehab assignment next week. As for Robert Suarez, the Braves are taking it slow with him. He won’t be ready immediately after the break. But maybe a week or two later.— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 7, 2026
If that’s the case then I’d assume that Acuña could be back with the Braves by the end of the month. I’m guessing that July 24-29 road trip to Baltimore and New York (Citi Field) would be a reasonable time to guess that Acuña could be back with the Braves, or they just might push it until July 30 when they come back home from that road trip to play the Nationals.
By then, it will have been nearly a two-month long stint on the IL but when it comes to that type of injury and potentially aggravating it again, it’s better to play it safe than sorry and the Braves are indeed planning on continuing to take their time bringing Acuña back into the fold.
Meanwhile, Robert Suarez is also eyeing a potential post-All-Star break return from his forearm issues. Suarez went on the IL back on June 26 with inflammation but apparently those issues weren’t structural and all he’s needed is a bit of rest and recuperation to get his arm back in pitching shape. Even back when the IL stint was reported, Walt Weiss was reportedly “hopeful” that their set-up man would be able to come back “shortly” after the All-Star break and I’d say that a couple of extra weeks wouldn’t be too bad.
With that being said, the bullpen does need him since cracks are starting to show in what’s been a great season for the ‘pen as a collective so far. Maybe the break will do a lot of those guys some good since it means that the bullpen especially should be fully rested and ready to go once play resumes on July 17 in Cobb County against the Texas Rangers but for now, it appears as if the bullpen will have to hold on just a little while longer while Robert Suarez gets back in shape. The same goes for the outfield and having Ronald Acuña Jr. out there. Slowly but surely, the stars are coming back.