The Atlanta Braves activated outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from the 10-day injured list on Monday and inserted him into the leadoff spot for their series opener against the New York Mets.
Acuña singled off left-hander Zac Thornton in his first plate appearance and scored the game's first run on Ozzie Albies' RBI single. He had been sidelined since June 9 with a left hamstring strain, his second of the season.
Braves manager Walt Weiss said Acuña wanted to ensure he was ready before returning. "These guys don't want to come up here and embarrass themselves," Weiss said. "They want to come up here and produce and be the players that they are."
Acuña entered the game batting .251 with seven homers and 15 stolen bases in 53 games. He went 6-for-26 with one home run during a nine-game rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Acuña said his timing had improved. "I'm feeling much better," he said. "I'm here to make the playoffs and win another championship for my city."