Kendrick Lamar may not be the only superstar who returns to the biggest stage in May.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is slated to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, and Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hears that the Atlanta Braves are "still using May 6 as a loose target date" for his return to the defending World Series Champions. The Braves will open a three-game weekend set with the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park on May 6.
The 24-year-old, of course, missed out on a chance to be part of a magical playoff run for the Braves after suffering a season-ending torn right ACL last July 10.
Acuña was perhaps in the driver's seat to win the National League MVP before his injury, as he was slashing .283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs, 52 RBIs, 49 walks, 17 stolen bases and a 4.2 fWAR in just 82 games. If you project those numbers out to a 162-game pace, it's not hard to make the case that Acuña was on track to have one of the greatest individual seasons in the history of a storied franchise.
Without the the former National League Rookie of the Year, the Braves are off to a 5-6 start, as they aim to win their fifth consecutive NL East title. The Braves will see old friend Freddie Freeman -- that is, to everyone but Acuña apparently -- Monday, as they open a series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
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