TheAtlanta Braves' charmed ride to start the 2026 season - their 24-10 record is the best in the major leagues - finally hit a pothole as they placed All-Star outfielderRonald Acuña Jr.on the injured list Sunday, May 3, with a strained left hamstring.
Yet the club also got positive injury news, as right-handerSpencer Striderwas activated from the IL and will make hisseason debut against the Colorado Rockieson Sunday after missing the first five weeks with a left oblique strain.
Acuña was injured Saturday running out a grounder in the second inning at Coors Field and was removed from the game. The five-time All-Star has been dogged by injuries the past five seasons, as he tore the ACL in his right and left knees in that span. He was off to a decent start this season, with a .252/.362/.378 line and two home runs.
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The majority of his plate appearances figure to be consumed by outfielders Eli White and Mike Yastrzemski, while Mauricio Dubón will get more reps in left field, leaving shortstop duties to Jorge Mateo before the return of the injured Ha Seong Kim.
Strider posted a 4.45 ERA last season in his return from a second Tommy John surgery. TheBravesrotation has performed admirably despite a litany of injuries to stars like Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, posting a 3.08 ERA - third in the major leagues - without them.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Braves' Ronald Acuña out with hamstring strain, Spencer Strider back