As the Braves continue to climb their way back to .500, the team is clearly going to need a boost over the next month. Already, the team has brought back former Braves Ian Anderson and Eddie Rosario to the active roster to give the team a boost. However, more important pieces are on the way, with Craig Kimbrel still working his way back after a late spring training signing. Still, this isn't the boost the team needs to be able to turn the corner. If the Braves are going to climb their way back into postseason contention, they need Ronald Acuna Jr. to return before the end of the month.
Acuna has already made headlines commenting on a failure to hustle from Jarred Kelenic and Brian Snitker's lack of response. It was a comment that was completely accurate, but one that shouldn't have been voiced on X. There is a time and a place to voice these concerns, and Acuna executed it as poorly as possible. As the Braves have already turned the page from Kelenic, the one remaining concern is if there is any fallout between Snitker and Acuna.
Braves Desperately Need Their Star to Return
No matter what the answer is to what happens between Acuna and Atlanta's manager, it isn't a hot take to point out the desperation from the Braves for Acuna's return. The team badly needs an offensive boost from their outfield. Michael Harris is off to an inconsistent start, and Profar's suspension left the team cycling through Jarred Kelenic, Stuart Fairchild, Bryan De La Cruz, Eli White, and Alex Verdugo. While the latter has been off to an impressive offensive start, it is fair to question how long it can be sustained.
Atlanta's lone path to competing for the National League East is going to be returning to the offensive form that dominated the 2023 season. The Braves lack the depth in the rotation and bullpen to consistently win any other way. This was evidenced by the team falling behind 3-0 early against a Rockies team that is the worst team in baseball.
The Braves' offense battled back and pulled off yet another comeback win after two impressive performances in Arizona. This is the team fans were spoiled to watching and what they must maintain to turn the corner. For that to happen, Acuna must return and be close to MVP form. While he will take an understandable step back on stealing bases after another serious knee injury, the rest of the outfielder's game should be intact. Atlanta has survived early injuries to Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Strider, and Sean Murphy and has found surprise ways to pick up the production.
As the team's options begin to wane, there is only one possible answer that is sustainable. That is the return of the face of the franchise and the unquestioned best player on Atlanta's roster.