![\"Braves](\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/2651261\/atlanta-braves-outfielder-alex-verdugo.jpg?w=1200&f=6370fa9194624dab08bfdd1a874d0c83\")
<\/p>\nAfter missing 162 games, the equivalent of an entire MLB season, Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. made a dramatic comeback this weekend, blasting a home run Friday on the first pitch he saw since May 26, 2024.<\/p>\n
Acu\u00f1a Jr., the 2023 National League MVP, followed up with a second home run in Saturday’s game, also against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
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The pair of round-trippers in his first nine at-bats since he tore the ACL in his left knee almost exactly one year ago obviously gave a jolt of energy to the Braves, who continue to battle back from a 3-10 start to the season.<\/p>\n
But Acu\u00f1a’s fast start could spell bad news for Acu\u00f1a Jr.’s newest teammate, the New York Yankees castoff Alex Verdugo. After receiving no offers in free agency, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Atlanta as spring training entered its final week.<\/p>\n
He got off to a quick start with Atlanta, but in May the 29-year-old outfielder has slowed down badly, potentially making him the odd man out in the Braves outfield with Acu\u00f1a Jr.’s return.<\/p>\n
Now, according to the Yankees site Pinstripes Nation, the Braves will now face “pressure” to cut ties with Verdugo now that Acu\u00f1a has returned – with a vengeance. “His return immediately strengthens Atlanta’s outfield but creates a crowded roster situation,” write Pinstripes Nation scribe Sara Molnick of Verdugo.<\/p>\n
“Braves supporters increasingly believe Verdugo should be eliminated from consideration.” Molnick added that Verdugo’s relatively minimal contract “reflects his diminished market appeal. Verdugo dropped from a $9.2 million Yankees salary to a $1.5 million prove-it arrangement with Atlanta. While he displayed glimpses of past ability in April, May has revealed the same inconsistencies that haunted his Bronx tenure.”<\/em><\/p>\n Acu\u00f1a Jr.’s two home runs in two games give him two more than Verdugo has managed in his entire 29-game Braves tenure. In 10 April games, after getting his call-up, Verdugo posted a formidable .850 OPS.<\/p>\n “Previously considered a valuable outfield commodity, Verdugo now confronts possible designation for assignment in consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n Atlanta provided him a second chance, but that opportunity appears endangered.” When it activated Acu\u00f1a, however, Atlanta instead chose to designate 2023 All-Star shortstop Orlando Arcia for assignment.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old from Venezuela was producing even less than Verdugo, with a .194 batting average and useless .445 OPS after 14 games and 32 plate appearances in 2025 with Atlanta.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After missing 162 games, the equivalent of an entire MLB season, Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. made a dramatic comeback this weekend, blasting a home… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":57497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n