Acuña returns to right field for Game 4

42 minutes ago

The Braves are on the brink. After a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday in Game 3 of the NLDS, they must win Game 4 to send the series back to Los Angeles for a decisive Game 5.

Atlanta released its Game 4 lineup on Wednesday, with  back in right field and batting second. 

Manager Walt Weiss said Acuña was running in the outfield prior to Game 4 and was "just a little sore. If he is limited, I think it's minimally."

The Braves on Tuesday made a late change to their lineup, moving Acuña from the field to DH due to soreness in his right knee. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Game 3.

The injury happened during Game 2 when Acuña slid into second base on a steal and jammed his knee.

On Tuesday, Drake Baldwin moved from DH to catcher, putting Sean Murphy on the bench. Murphy has caught all of Braves Game 4 starter Tyler Mahle’s outings since he was acquired at the Trade Deadline.

Acuña finished the regular season red-hot at the plate with a .997 OPS over his final 26 games. But he's struggled a bit in the postseason, going 3-for-21 without an extra-base hit or an RBI.