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Eric Hartman a Top Dynasty Riser in the First Half
Atlanta Braves outfielder Eric Hartman enjoyed one of the most impressive first-half showings in the entire minor leagues. Through his first 73 games at the High-A level, Hartman held a sharp .292/.364/.550 slash line with 16 doubles, 20 home runs and an eye-catching 30 stolen bases. While he was a high-end speed asset at Low-A last summer, swiping 44 bags, he hit only five home runs over this noted 83-game stretch. Dynasty managers should continue to pay close attention to the 20-year-old's development, as his dynasty stock has soared over the past two months. Even though he is still viewed as Atlanta's No. 19-ranked prospect on MLB.com, he should find himself much higher on that list by the second half. If he continues at this pace, a late-season call-up to Double-A is not out of the question. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on the budding outfielder.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ronald Acuna Jr. a "Long Shot" to Return Before All-Star Break
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said on Tuesday that it's a "long shot" that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) will return before the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Acuna is going through a full pre-game workout at Truist Park on Tuesday, but the Braves aren't going to rush him back after his second stint on the injured list this year with a strained left hamstring. It means that Eli White should continue to see regular playing time in Atlanta's outfield to close out the first half of the 2026 campaign. Acuna's fantasy managers must remain patient and hope he's ready to roll right after the All-Star break, which runs from Monday, July 13, through Thursday, July 16. The five-time All-Star and former MVP hasn't lived up to expectations so far this year with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 steals, and 31 runs scored in his 53 games played across 236 plate appearances. Acuna has league-winning five-category upside when healthy, but he hasn't played in over 100 games since 2023.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Ronald Acuna Jr. Going Through Full Workout on Tuesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is going through a full pre-game workout at Truist Park on Tuesday, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Acuna has already missed over three weeks with a left-hamstring strain, but the Braves are in no rush to bring him back to the major-league roster since it's the second time he has been on the 10-day injured list with the same injury this year. It appears that the former MVP is getting closer to returning to the Braves, but he could still be asked to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, meaning he's not guaranteed to come back before the All-Star break in July. The five-time All-Star has had a very disappointing 2026 season so far, as he has slashed just .251/.373/.421 with a .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored in his 195 at-bats while dealing with injuries once again. Acuna still has five-category upside for fantasy managers, though, so he needs to remain stashed in an IL spot in all leagues until he's ready to return.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Mauricio Dubon Becoming Waiver Target With Multi-Position Eligibility
Atlanta Braves infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon has never had much power or speed in his seven-plus years in the big leagues with four different teams as a utility player, but he has recently become more attractive off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues as a short-term boost during his hot streak with the Braves. Dubon has hit .267/.316/.421 with a .738 OPS in 78 games across 314 plate appearances with Atlanta so far this year, and he's only three home runs away from setting a new career high in that category. The 31-year-old veteran from Honduras has been excellent in 22 games (89 plate appearances) in June, going 26-for-84 (.310) with five long balls, five doubles, 14 RBI, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Dubon is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-29 (.379) with a homer, four doubles, an RBI, five runs, and a stolen base. He sits in just the 11th percentile in hard-hit rate and 25th percentile in barrel rate, but he rarely strikes out (85th percentile in K rate) and should continue to play regularly with Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the injured list. Most importantly, Dubon is eligible at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, and he's rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues. Ride the wave in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Michael Harris II Returns to Braves Lineup on Saturday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field and is batting fifth on Saturday against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Kyle Harrison, according to MLB.com. Harris will be back in the Braves' starting lineup for the first time since leaving Tuesday's contest early with tightness in his lower back. He missed two games. The 25-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year is having one of his best seasons as a pro in 2026, as he comes into Saturday's tilt with a .306/.340/.514 slash line with an .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 68 games across his 259 plate appearances. Harris, a former third-rounder in 2019, is also hitting an even .300 (12-for-40) with a homer, three doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored in 11 games in June. Although he's hit lefties and righties well this year, fantasy managers setting DFS lineups may want to avoid him on Saturday in his return against a tough lefty in Harrison, whom Harris has never faced in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Remains Out With Back Injury on Friday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) continues to sit for Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, per MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will make another start in center field and will bat fifth against Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski. It will be the second straight missed game for Harris, who was pulled from Tuesday's game with tightness in his lower back. Harris remains day-to-day, but if he cannot return to the lineup this weekend against Milwaukee, the Braves might be forced to place him on the injured list. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2019 has been a must-start for fantasy managers in all formats in 2026 in his fifth year in the league, as he enters Friday's action with a .306/.340/.514 slash line, .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 259 plate appearances and 68 games played. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to stay away from Dubon on Friday against one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the game.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II's Back Injury Keeps him Out on Wednesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at Truist Park against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will take over in center field on Wednesday and will bat leadoff for the Braves against Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt. Harris is being considered day-to-day after being pulled from Tuesday's contest with lower-back tightness. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Thursday to see if he's ready to return to the starting nine for Thursday's series finale against San Fran. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been a must-start for fantasy managers this year, as he comes into Wednesday's tilt with a .303/.337/.512 with an .850 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 34 runs scored, and three steals in his 244 at-bats in 2026. Harris has gone 11-for-39 (.282) with a homer, three doubles, five RBI, and six runs in 10 games in June. With Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) potentially out through the All-Star break in mid-July, Atlanta can ill-afford to lose Harris for an extended stretch.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ronald Acuna Jr. a "Long Way" From Returning From the Injured List
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is a "long way" from returning from the 10-day injured list, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Because Acuna's hamstring is in the same spot as his previous injury this year, the Braves will be more cautious than they were when Acuna missed almost three weeks with a previous hamstring strain. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star landed on the IL for the second time this year last week with another left-hamstring strain, and he's looking at another couple weeks on the sidelines, at the very least. Fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily expect Acuna to be back before the All-Star break in the middle of July. So far, the talented Venezuelan outfielder has been a bust in 2026 in fantasy with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across 53 games played. However, despite his lengthy history of lower-body injuries, Acuna's five-category upside means he could still carry fantasy squads in the second half if he can stay out of the trainer's room.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Michael Harris II Departs Early on Tuesday With Back Tightness
The Atlanta Braves announced that outfielder Michael Harris II (back) departed Tuesday's game against the San Francisco Giants early with lower-back tightness. Before leaving the game due to injury, Harris went 1-for-1 at the plate with a run scored. Mauricio Dubon shifted from left field to center field, and Eli White entered the ballgame in left field. It's unclear if Harris' back injury will cause him to miss additional time, but we should have a better idea of the severity of his back ailment later on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. If Harris is forced to the 10-day injured list, White would be in line for more playing time in Atlanta's outfield. The 25-year-old Harris is in the midst of a really strong season in 2026, as he came into Tuesday's game with a .303/.337/.512 slash line with an .850 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 34 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Harris is currently rostered in all but 5% of Yahoo leagues, and he should remain rostered, even if his back injury leads to a lengthy absence.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain, manager Walt Weiss told Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Acuna is on the IL for the second time this year with the same injury, but the Braves don't believe that it is as bad as Acuna's strain in May, which kept him out for just over two weeks. All in all, it's good news for the 28-year-old former MVP. Barring a setback as he rehabs, Acuna could be back with the Braves before the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could share playing time in right field in Atlanta, with Dubon being the more attractive deep-league waiver-wire pickup. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner, should be stashed in all leagues, even though he's performing under his career levels so far in 2026 with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 steals, and 31 runs scored in 195 at-bats.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Braves Put Ronald Acuna Jr. on the Injured List With Strained Hamstring
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and selected the contract of infielder Rowdy Tellez to the major-league roster in a corresponding move. It's the second time this year that Acuna has been on the IL with the same injury, and he missed just over two weeks back in May with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain. The injury occurred the second time on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox, when Acuna was attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. He came up limp just before reaching the first-base bag and eventually hobbled off the field with a trainer. Fantasy managers shouldn't just assume that Acuna will miss another two weeks this time around. In his absence, both Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could see additional playing time in the Braves' outfield. Although the former MVP isn't producing up to his normal All-Star standards in 2026, Acuna should still be held in an IL spot in all traditional fantasy leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Hamstring Tightness
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game early against the Chicago White Sox with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. Acuna tweaked his left hamstring in the fourth inning while trying to beat out a grounder to third base and hobbled off the field with a trainer. Considering Acuna already missed time and landed on the injured list with a left-hamstring injury this year, we think there's a high likelihood that he'll end up back on the IL. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Eli White replaced Acuna in right field after he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, and he will likely be in line for starts in Atlanta's outfield if Acuna misses more time going forward. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and former MVP, has elite five-category upside, but he's also no stranger to injuries, and 2026 is shaping up as another injury-plagued season. He entered Tuesday's game in Chicago with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across his 52 games played. UPDATE: Manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday's game that Acuna is day-to-day.
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
Ronald Acuna Jr. Departs Early Tuesday With Lower-Leg Injury
Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (lower leg) was pulled from Tuesday's game early in Chicago against the White Sox after being thrown out at first and limped to the dugout with a trainer, according to Lindsay Crosby of Braves Today. Acuna looked to tweak something in his left leg while attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. Stay tuned for more information on Acuna's status and whether he might need another stint on the injured list. Before he was replaced in right field by Eli White, Acuna went 0-for-2 at the plate with a strikeout and a groundout. If Acuna requires a lengthy absence due to his injury, White will be in line for more playing time in Atlanta's outfield going forward. The 28-year-old Acuna has played in only 53 games so far in 2026 after already missing time with a leg injury in 2026, and he entered play on Tuesday with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across 233 plate appearances, numbers that don't really live up to the high expectations that Acuna is known for. UPDATE: Acuna was diagnosed with left-hamstring tightness in the same leg that landed him on the IL earlier this season.
Source: Braves Today - Lindsay Crosby
Source: Braves Today - Lindsay Crosby
Michael Harris II Returns From Back Injury to Face White Sox
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field for the Braves and will hit out of the two-hole for Tuesday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox and left-hander Brandon Eistert, per MLB.com. Harris was sidelined for the last two games with tightness in his back, but he'll return for the series opener on the South side on Tuesday, and fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in traditional leagues. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is in the midst of one of his best years in the big leagues, slashing .306/.340/.523 with an .863 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 62 games across 235 plate appearances for the first-place Bravos. He's been even better in his last 17 games since May 19, too, going 24-for-69 (.348) with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in that span. Harris has never faced Eistert in his big-league career. Against lefties this year, Harris has gone 24-for-81 (.296) with four of his 13 long balls.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Still Out on Sunday With Back Injury
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field again and will bat in the two-hole for the series finale against Pirates left-handed opener Mason Montgomery at Truist Park. Harris is missing a second straight game after he was pulled from Friday's contest early due to back tightness. The 25-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, though, according to manager Walt Weiss, so he could be back in the team's starting lineup for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday after a scheduled day off on Monday. Harris has been a must-start when he's active for fantasy managers this year, as he's currently slashing .303/.338/.516 with an .853 OPS, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 61 games played in 2026. Dubon is mostly known for his glove work all over the diamond, but the 31-year-old veteran has been clutch in his first year in Atlanta and could be a sneaky DFS sleeper for Sunday's slate in the two-hole.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
