The Atlanta Braves will be slotting a former MVP back into their lineup.
Ronald Acuna Jr. was reinstated from the injured list by the Braves on Monday, the team announced.
Acuna Jr. will bat leadoff and play right field for Atlanta's game against the New York Mets.
Brewer Hicklen was optioned to triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.
Acuna Jr. has been out since June 9 with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
The 28-year-old outfielder won the National League MVP award in 2023 when he recorded the first 40-70 season, hitting 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases. He led MLB in steals, hits (217) and runs (149) and also paced the NL with a 1.012 OPS.
However, he's struggled to stay on the field since, missing a combined 232 games over the last two-and-a-half seasons with various injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear in 2024.
When he was healthy to start this season, Acuna Jr. didn't produce the same results, hitting seven home runs, driving in 22 and stealing 15 bases over 53 games.
The NL East-leading Braves will be hoping Acuna Jr. can rediscover his top form and push them over the top as they push towards playoff baseball in October.
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