The Atlanta Braves hit their fanbase with some dreadful news on Wednesday, placing Ronald Acuna Jr. on the Injured List.
Their replacement choice might have also raised some eyebrows.
They’ve added the 270-pound slugger Rowdy Tellez to the roster — that’s what he’s listed at, at least.
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
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Tellez will not be taking over Acuna’s spot in right field or at the top of the Atlanta lineup, so there will be some pieces that need to be moved around.
The big lefty Tellez is just a first baseman or DH, so he might add some thump against right-handed pitching.
The starting lineup will likely now move Mauricio Dubon into a full-time role in right field while Acuna is out.
That will open up shortstop for Ha-Seong Kim.
The Braves also have Jorge Mateo, who can play both of those spots.
Tellez really may not play a ton, unless there’s another bit of injury news coming, because Matt Olson and Dominic Smith have first base and DH pretty well covered.
The 31-year old Tellez has 122 career MLB home runs.
This season at Triple-A Gwinnett, Tellez has 8 homers, 15 doubles and an .850 OPS.
Tellez certainly is still capable of running into one, and the Braves must be hoping he is prepared to make the most of whatever opportunity he gets.