Ronald Acuña Jr. is moving closer to a Braves return, and Saturday gave Atlanta a look at another arm that could be on the way soon.
Acuña went 1-for-3 with a walk in Triple-A Gwinnett’s 5-1 win over Toledo in the first game of a seven-inning doubleheader, while AJ Smith-Shawver handled 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the same contest. Acuña was then held out of the nightcap as both players continued their Minor League rehab assignments.
For Acuña, the assignment has been all about easing him back carefully. He has played three games for the Rookie-level FCL Braves this week and then worked as the designated hitter for Gwinnett on Saturday. The Braves are being cautious with the 2023 National League MVP after he strained his left hamstring twice this year, and there is still a chance they keep using him at DH even after he is activated.
Braves manager Walt Weiss said he is hoping Acuña is back in the lineup before the current homestand ends on Thursday. Acuña has been on the injured list since June 9.
Smith-Shawver’s outing was another encouraging checkpoint, but not the final one. He struck out five, walked one and reached 99.4 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also generated whiffs on 13 of 37 swings, including six of 11 against his slider.
The 23-year-old threw 72 pitches in his fourth rehab start, and he will likely need at least one more before Atlanta can consider him for the rotation. Smith-Shawver is coming back from UCL surgery he underwent in June 2025.
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