The Atlanta Braves have stumbled out of the gate this season after years of dominating the National League.
With a 14-18 record, they currently sit just one game out of last place in the NL East, raising early concerns that their seven-year playoff run may be in jeopardy—especially as the latest updates on star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. are discouraging.
Acuña is still recovering from a torn ACL, and according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, he’s likely several weeks away from even beginning a rehab assignment. This delay dims hopes of a quick turnaround for the Braves, who had been counting on Acuña’s return to spark the team.
“It’s extremely disappointing to hear that Acuña may not return in the next couple of weeks,” Steven Teal wrote for FanSided, adding that fans may not see him back in action until late May or early June.
Looking for a way to stay competitive in the meantime, the Braves could consider a trade.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale noted that Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert has been heating up recently, batting .346 with three home runs, eight RBIs, and six stolen bases over the past week. If his performance holds, the White Sox are expected to shop him before Memorial Day as part of their ongoing rebuild.
Though Robert’s inconsistency has affected his trade value, his recent surge could make him a short-term solution in the Braves’ outfield until Acuña returns. He’s in the final year of a six-year, $50 million deal, with club options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million each, giving the Braves some control if they were to make a move.
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