The Atlanta Braves will enter Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a 14-10 record in the second half, including a 6-2 start to August. The Braves, who entered the All-Star Break with a losing record, now find themselves just a game back of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East -- and with the division's best run differential.
While the Braves will be without outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. for the rest of the season, they did return a key contributor to their roster on Wednesday, activating catcher Travis d'Arnaud from the injured list.
D'Arnaud, 32, has not played since May 1 after suffering a fractured thumb. In 23 games this season, he'd hit just .220/.253/.341 (53 OPS+) with two home runs. Yet d'Arnaud could provide a boost to the Braves lineup if he's able to perform closer to what he did last season, when he hit .321/.386/.533 (137 OPS+) with nine home runs in 44 games. His production was such that he was awarded with the Silver Slugger Award.
Even if d'Arnaud can simply split the difference, he'll represent an upgrade over the incumbent options. As of late, the Braves have been leaning on Stephen Vogt and Kevan Smith, but neither has generated an OPS+ higher than 22. Young William Contreras, meanwhile, was sent back to the minors with a 71 OPS+ in his 44 games this season.
Whatever d'Arnaud does or doesn't do at the dish, his return is the latest phase of a lineup makeover. The Braves will be starting four players on any given night -- d'Arnaud and outfielders Adam Duvall, Joc Pederson, and Jorge Soler -- who were not on the active roster at this point in July.
All the Braves can do now is hope that their revamped lineup can help lead them to their fourth consecutive division title.
