After their 1-8 loss last night, it’s become clear that the Braves are lacking in several key areas. The bullpen is struggling, the starting rotation is top-heavy, and the lineup is missing enough depth to find any real consistency.
Fortunately, some reinforcements are on the way. Sean Murphy is expected to return in the coming days, and Spencer Strider is set to make his Braves debut in about a week, assuming everything goes according to plan. However, the player the Braves need most is Ronald Acuña Jr. The 2023 NL MVP is still recovering from a torn ACL and is traveling to Los Angeles for final clearance from doctors to intensify his rehab process.
We can only hope the doctors give Acuña the green light soon, and a rehab assignment could be just around the corner. A return in early May still seems optimistic. Just like with Strider, the Braves aren’t going to rush Acuña back; his importance to the team is too significant to take any chances. So, a return in mid to late May seems more realistic, but the team could certainly use him back as soon as possible.
This Braves team needs a spark, and while Strider and Murphy will make a difference, this is Acuña’s team. Now, more than ever, the Braves will only go as far as Ronald Acuña Jr. can lead them.