Braves' Ronald Acuña has 3 hits and scores 3 runs in his 1st game hitting cleanup since 2022

ATLANTA (AP) — No Atlanta Braves player enjoyed seeing Ronald Acuña Jr. hit cleanup for the first time this season more than Michael Harris II, who hit fifth.

Acuña had three hits and a walk and scored three runs, and Harris drove in three runs with two hits, including a two-run homer, in Atlanta's 6-4 win over Colorado on Friday night.

“Having him on base, he's fun to hit behind because there's always a chance he can score from first,” Harris said, referring to Acuña's first run in the second inning. Acuña walked and took off for second base on a stolen base attempt before scoring on a double by Harris to the left-center gap.

Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, doubled in the fifth and scored on the homer by Harris.

Acuña hit cleanup for the first time since Aug. 7, 2022, at the New York Yankees and the first time in a home game since May 2, 2019, against San Diego. He hit leadoff in 62 games this season and hit second in 19 games.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said he “had a good talk” with Acuña, who was hitting .228, on Thursday. “I just like the look of him in that cleanup spot,” Weiss said, adding the lineup change is “new scenery for him.”

The slumping Acuña was rested in the Braves’ 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night before raising his batting average to .235 with the three hits.

“A day off sometimes can help you,” Acuña said, adding “Baseball is hard, sometimes.”

In addition to the opportunity to clear his mind, Acuña took extra batting practice. He said he made “a couple of adjustments” but said it was no dramatic change to his swing or approach.

“I'm trying to make good contact,” Acuña said. “We'll see what happens tomorrow.”

Weiss said Acuña “played with good energy and his swing, that's where he looked like himself.”

Acuña has had two stints on the injured list this season with left hamstring injuries. He missed almost seven weeks on the second IL stint before returning on July 27.

He showed good speed running the bases, but even better speed when sprinting to foul territory in right field to make a sliding catch of Cole Carrigg's pop fly in the seventh inning.

“I just found out that's one of his best sprint speeds since 2020, which is really good, really good news," Weiss said. “So he's moving well, yeah. He looked like himself.”

It would be no surprise if Acuña hits cleanup again in the second game of the series on Saturday.

“I don’t know what it was, it just felt right to put Ronald in the cleanup spot,” Weiss said. “Sometimes a change of scenery does help some guys.”

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Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. takes off from first base to score against the Colorado Rockies on a double hit by Michael Harris II during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., right, on a double by Michael Harris II as Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., center, is greeted in the dugout after scoring against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., right, celebrates with Mauricio Dubón (14) after their team defeated the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Fried will come off the injured list to start for the New York Yankees in the second game of Saturday's day-night doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone wouldn't disclose Friday how many pitches he thinks Fried will be able to throw. Fellow left-hander Carlos Rodón is scheduled to get the ball in the opener.

Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season Aug. 17, retroactive to Aug. 14, with a left elbow bone bruise. He was sidelined with the same issue from May 14 until July 22, but this stint will be much shorter.

The three-time All-Star threw live batting practice in between two side sessions this week to prepare for his return after spending the minimum length of time on the IL.

“I think we were hopeful of that going in, ‘cause there was some thought we probably maybe could have even kept him pitching, but felt like this was the smarter thing to do to give ourselves the best chance to be in a better place with him in what we hope is a couple more months of playing," Boone said.

"He has responded well. Actually, similar to how he responded the first time when he left Baltimore and missed more time. He has kind of responded well to that time and then the buildup. Like, he's never really been shut down. So, this week's gone well with the live and then two sides around that. So, excited to get him back out there tomorrow.”

Fried is 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts this season, his second with the Yankees after signing a $218 million, eight-year contract as a free agent.

New York beat Boston 1-0 on Friday night in the opener of a critical four-game series to move three games ahead of the Red Sox in the race for the top American League wild card and home-field advantage throughout a potential best-of-three playoff series between the longtime rivals. The 13-game season series is tied 5-all.

Still waiting for star slugger Aaron Judge to return from a broken rib, the Yankees are four games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

In other injury-related updates, right-hander Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday. Schmidt has been sidelined all year while recovering from Tommy John surgery but could return to help the pitching staff in some capacity before the end of the season.

Boone also said starter Ryan Weathers, placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left forearm flexor strain, is doing very well and is “going to be back in the mix.”

"So, we’re going to have an influx of starters and that’s going to end up bumping guys to the (bullpen) that could become real factors,” Boone said.

Third baseman Ryan McMahon (left thumb sprain) is expected back from the injured list when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is rehabbing as though he's trying to return this season, but he hasn't resumed baseball activities, Boone said.

Stanton has been out since April 25 with a right calf strain. He had another setback in his recovery last week when he strained his left calf while running the bases.

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New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers leaves during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)