The Braves have been without their top two players for most of the season, as Spencer Strider made only one appearance before joining Ronald Acuña Jr. on the injured list.

Despite that, the team has clawed its way back to near .500 after starting 0-7, largely due to a scorching-hot offense over the past three weeks.

Since that rough start, Atlanta’s bats have ranked at or near the top in nearly every major offensive category. It’s an encouraging sign, but players like Eli White, Nick Allen, and Alex Verdugo likely can’t sustain this level of production for much longer. The Braves need their stars—Strider and Acuña—back in the lineup. Unfortunately, manager Brian Snitker didn’t offer any encouraging news regarding their returns.

There’s still no clear timetable for either player. Strider has started light throwing after a Grade 1 hamstring strain, while Acuña hasn’t begun a rehab stint yet.

Initially, there was hope Acuña could be back in May, but that’s now uncertain. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, while the Braves haven’t provided a firm timeline, there’s still a chance the 2023 NL MVP could rejoin the team by the end of May—a development that offers some hope for the club’s outlook.

Atlanta plans to be cautious with both players, prioritizing their health for a potential postseason run over an early-season return. This roster has enough talent to stay afloat, but the Braves’ true ceiling depends on the health and performance of Acuña and Strider.