Ronald

Acuna Jr.

It’s an extremely encouraging development that Acuña is feeling well enough to return following a one-game absence after being scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with lower back tightness. The 27-year-old franchise cornerstone tweaked his back earlier this week while lifting weights, but it doesn’t appear to be a significant concern. It certainly looks like he’ll compete in next week’s All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night at Truist Park, barring an unexpected development.

Atlanta isn’t going to take any chances with their franchise icon with next week’s All-Star Game at Truist Park looming large. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar will sit out Tuesday’s series opener against the Athletics in West Sacramento out of an abundance of caution. He’s presumably day-to-day for now. He’ll be re-evaluated in the coming days to determine whether he’ll still participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night. It’ll be Eli White taking over in right field with Jurickson Profar moving up to the leadoff spot.

Jurickson Profar has been bumped up to the leadoff spot for Sunday morning’s finale against Baltimore. It’s a well-deserved off day for Acuña, who has torn the cover off the ball since returning from the injured list to make his season debut back in late May, hitting .333/.452/.565 with 34 runs scored, nine homers, 18 RBI and four steals through 39 games. The 27-year-old generational talent will start the upcoming Midsummer Classic for the National League in addition to competing in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Truist Park.

Ohtani earned an automatic starting berth as the senior circuit’s leading vote-getter in phase one balloting for the upcoming Midsummer Classic, which will be played on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The 30-year-old two-way sensation won’t pitch in the event, but he’s going for a fifth straight season after reaching the 30-homer plateau earlier this week. Here’s the rest of the NL starting lineup: Will Smith (C), Freddie Freeman (1B), Ketel Marte (2B), Francisco Lindor (SS), Manny Machado (3B), Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF), Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF), Kyle Tucker (OF) and Ohtani (DH). The rest of the NL roster, including pitchers and reserves, will be announced this weekend.

As a team, the Braves were only able to muster six total hits against Tyler Anderson and company in what was a brutal offensive performance. The 27-year-old superstar outfielder whiffed three times against Tyler Anderson and also took a called third strike against Jose Fermin in the seventh inning. Even with the rough night, he’s still slashing an outstanding .350/.467/.610 with nine homers, 18 RBI and four stolen bases in his first 35 games.

Acuña also walked twince. The superstar outfielder continues to impress in his return to action, and the three-reach game has him slashing .365/.486/.643, and after forging a 1.175 OPS in May, that number has dropped ever-so-slightly to 1.117. Pretty remarkable.

It was already 11-0 Phillies by the time Acuna was due for his second at-bat in the bottom of the third inning on Friday. The Braves decided to throw in the towel at that point and give the 27-year-old superstar outfielder the rest of the night off. Stuart Fairchild came off the bench and hit two doubles, which were the Braves’ only extra-base hits on the night. Acuna should be back in the lineup for Atlanta’s next game on Saturday.

Acuña made it official on Wednesday that he’ll compete in the star-studded event for the third time in his career, this time on his home turf at Truist Park, after expressing interest earlier this month. The 27-year-old franchise cornerstone has been exceptional since making his season debut back on May 23, hitting .385/.496/.692 with nine homers through 29 games. Amazingly, no Atlanta hitter has ever won the event.

The steal was Acuña’s third in 10 games after he attempted none in his first 19 games back from a torn ACL. He’s given the Braves four straight two-hit games, and he’s scored a run in seven straight games, which is pretty impressive given that the Braves have only two other guys (Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin) hitting right now.

Acuña has scored 27 of the Braves’ 111 runs in the 26 games since he came off the injured list. That’s nearly a quarter. He’s been ridiculously good in batting .391/.506/.696, but he still needs some more help.