SAN DIEGO — Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday as he nears a return from the torn right ACL that ended his 2021 season.
The Atlanta press team said ahead of Sunday night’s Braves game against the San Diego Padres that Acuna will join Gwinnett in Jacksonville for a series starting Tuesday.
“I’m sure he’s looking forward to playing real games under lights,” said Atlanta coach Brian Snitker. “It’s getting to where we can get him back. That will give this club a boost.”
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The 24-year-old Acuna is a two-time All-Star and played like an MVP contender last season before injuring his right knee in outfield at Marlins Park on July 10. He hit .283 with 24 homers and a . 990 OPS in 82 games at the time of injury and was left as a spectator for Atlanta’s World Series title run.
Acuna opened this season on the 10-day injured list, training at the club’s spring training facility in North Port, Florida.
The Braves (5-5), the defending World Series champions, went on a two-game winning streak in the series finals against the Padres.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.