Tuesday was a big day for the Braves.
In addition to promoting top pitching prospect Ian Anderson, the Braves activated outfielder Ronald Acuna from the 10-day injured list. Acuna hasn’t played since Aug. 10 because of left-wrist inflammation, missing 11 games.
“I feel good, and I’m happy to be back doing what I love,” Acuna said via team interpreter Franco Garcia.
After originally thinking Acuna wouldn’t even need an IL stint, the Braves then hoped he’d be back for this past weekend’s series against the Phillies. Acuna’s recovery was slower than first expected, but he returned to the top of the lineup Tuesday against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees.
“He’s taken some live (batting practices); he looks great and feels good,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We’re in one of those situations where, why wait? If he’s ready to go, we’re ready.”
Acuna had his best day of the season Aug. 9, when he went 4-for-4 with two homers against the Phillies in Game 2 of a doubleheader. He also homered in Game 1. The All-Star was catching fire after a slow start, hitting .364/.488/.818 in 10 games this month before his injury.
The discomfort began during the series in Philadelphia, Acuna revealed Tuesday, when he played in all four games. He didn’t know what caused the ailment.
“It was something I didn’t expect to last a week or 10 days,” Acuna said. “I was initially expecting it to be a day or two. I started feeling the discomfort in the Phillies series, but it was more discomfort, not a pain. I just wanted to play through it. Didn’t think anything of it. As we worked our way to the Yankees series, it turned from discomfort to pain. That’s when we had that conversation (to sit me). Even then, I wasn’t expecting it’d be as long as it was.”
Catcher Alex Jackson and right-hander Touki Toussaint were sent to the alternate training camp in Gwinnett to make room for Acuna and Anderson. Top outfield prospect Cristian Pache also was optioned back to Gwinnett upon outfielder Nick Markakis’ return from the COVID-related IL.
