Baseball isn’t just about launching bombs over the fence. The game rewards hustle, instincts, fundamentals, and situational awareness just as much, sometimes more. The Saturday game between the Braves and Twins witnessed what a lack of hustle can cost a batter. Well, for the Braves, it’s nothing new. Remember Ronald Acuna Jr’s incident in 2019?

Let’s get back to that after a while, shall we!

Now, in Saturday’s game, the Braves’ center fielder Jarred Kelenic confused himself with a home run, only for it to hit the wall, and then he was thrown out because he didn’t hustle. Well, errors happen, and it was all sorted out between Kellenic and the Braves Manager Brian Snikter, post-game. “I don’t look for (Kelenic) to not do it because he plays with his hair on fire all the time, and he’s laying out. I didn’t know until I saw it this morning, and I had a discussion with him and we got it squared away.”

Just when you thought that all ended well after the Braves’ 4-3 win over the Twins, the Braves’ veteran Acuna Jr. struck back, AGAIN! “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.” The now-deleted tweet seemed enough to turn it into a chaotic event for the team. While Acuna is out of action owing to his knee injury, he watched the game closely and took a sly dig at his manager. Why? Enter the 2019 incident.

Double standard by the Braves manager?

For starters, on August 19, 2019, against the Dodgers, Acuna admired what he thought was a no-doubt home run. Instead, the ball bounced off the wall, and what should’ve been an easy double turned into a long single. However, Snitker didn’t hesitate — he pulled Ronald Acuna Jr. from the game in the 5th inning. It was a loud message, especially for a young star with so much talent.

While Kellenic was not pulled out of the game and he was even there in Sunday’s game, Acuna couldn’t help but refer to that particular incident, not directly, but… And when asked about Acuna’s dig, Snitker fended off any further controversies, saying, “I didn’t see it and it’s down now. I haven’t talked to him,” as reported by The Athletic’s David O’Brien.

The Braves’ clubhouse is already under pressure from a rough start. Sitting last in the NL East with an 8-13 record, everything is under the microscope. This includes their pitching rotations, lineup decisions, and effort levels. The last thing the Braves needed now is tension between Snitker and Acuna, their brightest young star and franchise cornerstone.

The Braves’ downhill journey needs an Acuna push

The second-ranked team of the 2024 NL East with a 89-73 record is sitting at the last this year! No one would have expected! While the series against the Twins was a sweep for the Braves, their first to win back-to-back games, it would take more to improve their stats. A return of Acuna might be the right ingredient now for the team to cook the winning recipe!

​Acuna’s 2024 season was notably impacted by injuries, limiting him to just 49 games. Despite the shortened season, he managed to amass 4 HRs, 15 RBIs, and 16 SBs. While his power numbers were modest compared to his previous seasons, Acuna maintained a solid on-base presence and continued to be a threat on the basepaths. His advanced metrics indicate he was still making quality contact, suggesting that with improved health, he could return to his elite form.

Remember his 2023 MVP campaign with 41 HRs and a .337 BA? The Braves are gasping for that performance this time. So, when is he coming back to the field? Reportedly, he is on the last leg of his rehabilitation and is expected to return by next month. The Braves will likely be cautious — no need to rush him — but the fact that he could return next month is a huge morale boost, especially when the team is trying to find offensive consistency.

Expectedly, Kellenic will make way for Acuna in the starting lineup. It would be interesting to watch the equation between Acuna and his manager once he returns. Think another great comeback story is in the making?