Acuña whacks grand slam in 3rd rehab game since hamstring strain

The Braves begin their second half of the 2026 season on Friday against the Rangers, when they’ll look to build on a bounce-back year that has them 55-40 and atop the NL East, though the Phillies are creeping up quickly behind them.

Atlanta could use some better health down the stretch to win the division. In the case of superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. (left hamstring strain), Thursday was a small step in the right direction as he continues his rehab assignment with the FCL Braves.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How did Acuña perform?

The former NL MVP put together his best performance yet in his brief stay in the FCL. In the third game of his rehab assignment, Acuña blasted a third-inning grand slam to, at the time, give his Braves an 11-4 lead over the FCL Red Sox.

He swung through a fastball, fouled another one off and then dipped below the zone to belt a slider out to left-center field. The homer, his first hit since joining the FCL Braves, traveled a projected 423 feet at 112.8 mph off the bat.

Acuña has only served as the designated hitter since starting his rehab. He added a pair of walks Thursday, including one with the bases loaded to give him five RBIs on the day. Acuña was then replaced in the fourth inning.

What’s next?

The Braves have not confirmed how long Acuña’s rehab assignment is expected to last. He’s been on the shelf since injuring the hamstring on June 9.

Acuña was hitting .251/.373/.421 with seven home runs before the injury.

What else?

The Braves are fielding two former MVPs in their Florida Complex League lineup. Andrew McCutchen joined the organization after signing a Minor League contract on July 2 and was assigned to the FCL. He batted third behind Acuña, who was in the leadoff spot Thursday, going 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI before being replaced. He played left field.

Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is also in Florida as he tries to work his way back to the Majors. He hit second on Thursday, going 0-for-2 with two walks and an RBI before he was also replaced.

Kim underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. He returned to the big league Braves in May but struggled, and he was then placed on the IL again on July 4 with inflammation in the same finger. Like Acuña, the Braves have not set a timeline for how long Kim will need to rehab.

Other key injuries for the Braves include OF Mike Yastrzemski, RHP Robert Suarez, LHP Martín Pérez and RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (on rehab assignment).