Injuries & Moves: Acuña back in lineup
Keep track of the Braves' recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.
LATEST NEWS
July 1: Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to the lineup at DH
After missing four games with a bruised left foot, Acuña returned to the starting lineup for Friday’s contest in the DH spot. According to manager Brian Snitker, the hope is that Acuña will be back in right field for Saturday’s game against the Reds.
The outfielder left the team’s July 25 contest in the eighth inning after fouling a pitch off his foot earlier in the game. Acuña has since completed workouts over the last few days, including a series of defensive drills on Thursday, leading to a quick return to action. -- Will Aldrich
July 1: RHP Silvino Bracho available out of pen; Jesús Cruz optioned
After acquiring Bracho from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations earlier in the week, the right hander will be available out of the bullpen for Friday’s game in Cincinnati. In a corresponding move, the Braves optioned Cruz to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Bracho posted a 3.16 ERA in 31 1/3 innings for Triple-A Worcester this year. He's pitched one big league inning since the end of the 2018 season. -- Will Aldrich
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day injured list
RHP Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat)
Expected return: July
Jansen will miss a couple weeks because of an irregular heartbeat, a condition he's dealt with over the course of his career.
“He’s been dealing with it for a long time,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think after dealing with it for a couple days, he’ll start throwing and keeping his arm strong.”
Jansen will spend most of the next couple weeks playing catch and completing bullpen sessions. The expectation is he’ll be ready when he is eligible to come off the injured list on July 12. -- Mark Bowman
LHP Tyler Matzek (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: First half of July
Matzek will begin a Minor League rehab assignment for Single-A Augusta on June 28. The left-handed reliever has been encouraged by how his shoulder has reacted during side sessions over the past couple of weeks. He threw live batting practice on June 25 and will start working his way back with some Minor League appearances.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said he doesn’t know how many appearances Matzek might need. Matzek hasn’t pitched for Atlanta since May 10. His shoulder discomfort may have developed as he compensated for back discomfort early in Spring Training. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: June 26)
OF Eddie Rosario (blurred vision and swollen retina)
Expected return: First half of July
Rosario went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts when he began a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Gwinnett on June 25. As long as there are no setbacks, his assignment would expire on July 14. But there is a chance the 2021 National League Championship Series MVP will return before that date.
Rosario underwent laser eye surgery in late April after being diagnosed with a swollen retina. The veteran outfielder battled blurred vision throughout this season's first few weeks. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: June 26)
60-day injured list
2B Ozzie Albies (fractured left foot)
Expected return: At least mid-August
Albies will be out until mid-August at the earliest after fracturing his left foot on a foul ball in Atlanta's June 13 game against the Nationals. Jammed by a 3-2 Steve Cishek fastball in the fifth, Albies tripped attempting to leave the batter’s box after an awkward swing resulted in a ground ball to short. He was unable to run to first base on the groundout, then limped gingerly back to the dugout. Subsequent X-rays revealed a fracture, and he underwent successful surgery on June 15 in Green Bay, Wis., to stabilize it, the Braves said. Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery.
The exact timeline for Albies' return is still unclear.
“Hopefully, he heals quick and they can get him taken care of,” manager Brian Snitker said. "I hate it for Ozzie, and I hate it for us. It's unfortunate, but it’s one of those things. He’ll be fine. He’s young. He’ll heal quick, but I just hate it for the kid because he loves to play baseball and he’s such a big part of our club.”
It’s been a down season so far for the two-time All-Star, who is hitting .244 with eight homers and a .694 OPS. But the Braves have rarely been without Albies since he debuted in 2017. He appeared in Atlanta’s first 62 games this season (starting 61) and has played in 565 since 2018, second most among full-time second basemen. -- Joe Trezza (Last updated: June 15)
RHP Mike Soroka (torn right Achilles)
Expected return: Possibly July
Soroka threw his latest bullpen session at the team's Spring Training site on June 10. Once the right-hander is ready to make a progression of starts, the Braves could begin a 30-day rehab assignment. The right-hander is still a long way from returning, but he remains hopeful he’ll be able to contribute in some way after the All-Star break. Soroka originally tore his right Achilles tendon on Aug. 3, 2020. While attempting to return last year, he tore the same tendon while simply walking into the Braves' clubhouse at Truist Park on June 24. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: June 10)
C Manny Piña (left wrist surgery)
Expected return: 2023
Piña underwent season-ending left wrist surgery on May 16 and was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on June 1. The veteran backup catcher battled discomfort near the end of Spring Training and was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 25. Piña, who signed a two-year deal in November, is expected to be ready by the start of next year’s Spring Training. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: June 1)
RHP Luke Jackson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2023
Jackson underwent Tommy John surgery on April 13. He felt discomfort during Spring Training and an MRI showed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The right-handed reliever will miss the rest of this season. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: April 13)
RHP Kirby Yates (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: After the All-Star break
The Braves signed Yates to a two-year, $8.25 million deal knowing he would likely miss this season’s first half while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Yates will continue to recover over the next couple months, and then he will possibly return in late July or August. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: April 9)