ATLANTA -- Braves manager Walt Weiss thinks there’s at least a chance Ronald Acuña Jr. could return before this current homestand ends on Thursday. But his responses to questions about Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider weren’t nearly as optimistic.
Acuña’s rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday afternoon, but he wasn’t in the Stripers’ lineup for Friday night’s game in Toledo. This was just part of the schedule set after he played three games for the Rookie-level FCL Braves this week and then traveled to Ohio.
The Braves haven’t revealed their specific plan for Acuña. But Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said there is at least a chance the 2023 NL MVP will be activated from the injured list before Thursday.
“I won't rule it out, but they’ve got his schedule mapped out for him.” Weiss said. “Those things can change based on how he's feeling and performing and all and all that. So, man, I hope so. I mean, I’ll raise my hand for that.”
Acuña has hit .251 with seven homers, 15 stolen bases and a .794 OPS over 53 games this year. The Braves' right fielder missed a little more than two weeks after initially straining his left hamstring on May 2. He returned on May 19 and produced a .893 OPS over 19 games before aggravating the hamstring strain.
Acuña's absence has played a part in the Braves losing 19 of 29 since he began this second IL stint.
The Braves' rotation has also struggled over the past six weeks. Strider was lost to what was termed right elbow inflammation after he exited his June 12 start against the Mets. He is scheduled to see Dr. Keith Meister again within the next week. But a potential return this year has seemed unlikely.
Schwellenbach underwent surgery in February to remove loose bodies from a bone spur that developed in the same right elbow he fractured last year. His return this year has seemed questionable at best.
Weiss was asked if it would be accurate to say Strider is done for the season and Schwellenbach should just be considered a “maybe” to return this year.
“I wouldn't say it's inaccurate,” Weiss said. “I think there's a chance we could see both of them. But as we sit here today, it's hard to say.”
Schwellenbach hasn’t been sent to Florida to begin what would essentially be his Spring Training preparations. More importantly, Weiss said he isn’t aware of when this might happen.
Given that it would take Schwellenbach a month to six weeks to prepare to pitch for the first time in more than a year, he is running out of time to be part of Atlanta’s plans in 2026.