The Atlanta Braves are off to a hot start this season, with the best record in the majors at 45-22. However, the club’s season will ultimately be defined by its injuries and ability to withstand them. Sadly, another Braves injury has occurred, this time to their franchise player, Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Braves announced on Wednesday afternoon that they had placed their right fielder on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. To replace the five-time All-Star on the major league roster, the Atlanta Braves selected the contract of infielder Rowdy Tellez.
Atlanta today also placed OF Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and selected INF Rowdy Tellez to the major league roster. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated RHP Jhancarlos Lara for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 10, 2026
Braves Star Ronald Acuña Jr. Hits Injured List with Hamstring Strain
It’s Rowdy Time
With Tellez not being on the 40-man roster, a spot needed to be created, with right-hander Jhancarlos Lara getting designated for assignment. Tellez was signed to a minor league contract back in March, and he has done well down in Gwinnett.
In 49 games in Triple-A, Tellez was batting .259 with a .850 OPS, 15 doubles, eight home runs, and walked 30 times in 174 at-bats. The Atlanta Braves will be limited in their use of Tellez, as he is strictly a first baseman/designated hitter, which is where he played while with Gwinnett — the 31-year-old played 40 games (39 starts) at first base and eight games (and starts) at designated hitter. With Matt Olson posting up and playing every game at first base, Tellez’s only chance to play will be to compete with Dominic Smith to get some reps at the DH spot.
Roudy Tellez 2026 Season:
✅AAA Stats:
174 AB | 24 xBH(8HR) | 33 RBI
14.5 BB% 23.7 K%
OPS .850 wRC+ 123✅Impressive Savant 👀
(.377 xwOBA, 49% Hardhit%, 13% Barrel%)✅Great Platoon
vs R: 107 HR, .751 OPS– 2025 vs R: 17 HR, 109 wRC+
– AAA vs R: 8HR 1.014 OPS#BravesCountry https://t.co/lhy2FXyTGd pic.twitter.com/gHoFbnEOs1— Eric Yu (@Eric35_Yu) June 10, 2026
Acuña Jr.’s Soft Tissue Injuries are a Concern
Sadly, and scarily for the Braves, Acuña Jr.’s soft tissue injuries are starting to become a concern, as this is his second trip to the injured list this season for a hamstring injury. The 2023 National League MVP spent 15 days (May 3-18) on the injured list, with the same injury (left hamstring strain).
These injuries for Acuña Jr. come two years after he had to have surgery on both knees to repair his ACLs. The surgery on both knees limited Acuña Jr. to 49 games in 2024 and 95 games in 2025. He hasn’t been the same player since suffering these injuries, which have affected him this season. In 53 games, the three-time Silver Slugger is hitting .251 with a .794 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, and has only stolen 15 bases (caught seven times).
Hopefully for the Braves, Acuña Jr. isn’t out long, as even with his lowered production, he is still one of their best players. Given that this is now his second time hitting the injured list with the same injury, the Braves could be in the market for outfield depth before the trade deadline on August 3.
Main Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
