Ronald Acuna Jr. makes first rehab start ahead of long-awaited return to Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. went 1-for-3 with a double in his first rehab appearance Tuesday night for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Acuna batted leadoff for the visiting Stripers, flying out to center field in his first at bat, doubling off the wall in right-center in his second and then finishing his evening with a groundout to third.

Rehabbing <a href=«https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=» https: www.espn.com>@Braves

outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is all smiles after this double off the wall for <a href=«https://twitter.com/GoStripers?ref_src=» https: www.espn.com>@GoStripers! pic.twitter.com/ZeMNpe0n2U

He was replaced in right field in the sixth inning.

Pitching for Jacksonville was 23-year-old righty Max Meyer, ESPN's 33rd-ranked overall prospect.

Acuna is rehabbing a torn right ACL that ended his 2021 season. He opened this season on the 10-day injured list and had been working out at the club's spring training facility in North Port, Florida, before beginning the rehab assignment Tuesday in Jacksonville.