Atlanta Braves Roster
- NL East
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. finally got on the board in the home run department during Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Houston Astros, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Fantasy managers who spent the No. 1 overall pick on the reigning National League MVP this spring will certainly be relieved to hear that following his 16-game homerless drought to begin the 2024 season, as Acuna launched one 422 feet to center field to give the Braves a 2-1 lead. The 26-year-old is still doing just fine from a fantasy perspective, hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a .797 OPS, six RBI, 17 runs scored, and eight stolen bases to go with the aforementioned long ball atop Atlanta's potent lineup. Acuna now gets set for a marquee three-game weekend set at home versus the defending-champion Texas Rangers beginning on Friday. He hit a big fly in each of his three games against Texas in 2023.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Darius Vines will make another start for the team on Sunday at home against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers. Vines earned another start in Atlanta's starting rotation after giving up just one earned run on four hits while walking three and striking out four in his season debut on April 15 against the Houston Astros in 4 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old could stick around even longer with Spencer Strider (elbow) out for the season if he looks good again this weekend. Still, fantasy managers in need of pitching depth or those looking for a streamer on Sunday should be hesitant to go all-in on Vines in the tough matchup. The Braves have plenty of other options for their rotation, so Vines is going to need to continue to impress to stick around.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez continued his hot start to the season with a victory on Tuesday versus the Houston Astros. Lopez tossed six innings and allowed four hits, no runs, one walk and struck out seven. Lopez has been a reclamation project for the Braves after spending the bulk of his career with the Chicago White Sox, who had him pitching out of the bullpen. So far, Lopez has earned an A+ and is 2-0 with a sparkling 0.50 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in three starts. Lopez should be rostered in all formats, not only due to his success early on, but the bevy of injuries to pitchers in general. Managers should consider that Lopez has not been a full-time starter since 2019 and it will be interesting to see how he handles a full workload as the season continues. The right-hander will look to keep things going versus a weak Miami Marlins offense on Tuesday.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) won't need surgery on his fractured big toe but doesn't have a specific timetable for a return from the injured list. It sounds like there's a chance Albies could be back in two weeks, which means three weeks might be the safer bet, especially this early in the season. It's ultimately good news for the 27-year-old after he was hit by a pitch in Monday's 6-1 win over the Houston Astros. Fantasy baseball managers must be patient with the All-Star second baseman and keep him stashed in an IL spot in all formats. In the meantime, outfielder Michael Harris II will hit near the top of the batting order, boosting his short-term fantasy stock. Luis Guillorme, who is starting at second on Tuesday, and David Fletcher figure to split playing time at the keystone in Atlanta with Albies hurt.
With second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) going on the injured list on Tuesday, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II has moved up to second in the batting order against the Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown. Meanwhile, Luis Guillorme will get the start at the keystone and will bat eighth. Guillorme and David Fletcher figure to split playing time at second with Albies out, but Harris could be the biggest fantasy beneficiary in Atlanta if he continues to hit at the top of the lineup while Albies is on the shelf. This is the first time this year the 23-year-old has hit higher than sixth. Harris is off to a fine start in 2024, slashing .290/.333/.468 with two home runs and a stolen base. He has never faced Brown in his career but will become a much more popular DFS lineup piece with Albies out.