Pittsburgh. The Atlanta Braves hope to receive important news during the All-Star break: the return of Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr., who will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with his sights set on rejoining the team after the mid-season break.

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Interim manager Walt Weiss reported that, although a specific timeline for the 2023 National League MVP’s recovery has not yet been defined, the expectation is that he will return to the lineup once the All-Star break concludes.

Acuña has remained out of action since June 9 due to a left hamstring strain. The outfielder had already suffered the same injury on May 2, returning on the 19th of that month to play 19 games, in which he recorded an .893 OPS, before re-aggravating it.

“It will be good to have him back. He is a right-handed hitter that we need in the lineup. Even when he is not at his best, his mere presence changes the way opponents face our team,” noted Weiss.

Before the injury, Acuña played 53 games, posting a .251 batting average, with seven home runs, 15 stolen bases, and a .793 OPS.

The absence of the Venezuelan star has coincided with a slump in Atlanta’s performance. The Braves had a 45-21 record when Acuña went on the injured list and have since recorded a 7-16 mark.

Robert Suárez will take longer to return

The organization also confirmed that Venezuelan relief pitcher Robert Suárez will remain out of action longer than expected due to inflammation in his right elbow.

Although his return was initially expected immediately after the All-Star Game, the closer has not yet received medical clearance to resume his throwing program, so his return could be delayed by an additional one to two weeks.

Suárez has been one of the most solid pieces of Atlanta’s bullpen this season, with a 0.56 ERA in 31 appearances before being placed on the injured list.