Atlanta Braves starting outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is set to make his long-awaited debut on Friday night vs. San Diego. It has been a long rehab for the star who is nearing the one-year mark of his injury. Seeing Acuña able to return to the field so quickly has been exciting for an Atlanta team desperate for the outfielder's energy. However, with every elevation, there is an obvious demotion of playing time demanded. For the Braves, this is going to come down to either Alex Verdugo or Eli White.
Center fielder Michael Harris is obviously safe despite his recent offensive struggles. The most likely demotion is going to be Alex Verdugo shifting into a bench role. While the veteran has been great, the offensive production has cooled a bit with the average now down to .252 and Eli White offering more consistent production. Not only this, but White offers more value as a defender and on the bases as a potential threat.
Ronald Acuña's Injury Return Puts Alex Verdugo's Starting Role in Jeopardy
It seems Eli White is in line to maintain a starting role as long as his current level of offensive production continues. Verdugo is likely to be used to give White and Acuña consistent days off. With the serious injury Acuña suffered, it seems likely the Braves will want to ease the 2023 MVP back into the lineup. This opens the door for Verdugo to still garner consistent at-bats and force his way back into the Atlanta lineup.
However, there is no denying that it is now going to be an uphill battle for the veteran. For Atlanta, this is a welcome problem after dealing with Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz as the team's starting options in the first weeks of the season. Having a bit of offensive stability is much needed for a team that continues to get in its own way.
The biggest outfield issue for the Braves has been the lack of consistent offensive production from Harris. While the outfielder's glove and contract offer a heavy amount of job security, it is a situation to keep a close eye on as Atlanta continues to evaluate its options throughout the 2025 season.