Braves GM Anthopoulos: Acuna could DH by late April

The much-anticipated return date for Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. appears to be taking shape.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos told The Athletic's Jim Bowden on Thursday that the tentative plan is for Acuna to return to be the team's designated hitter in a regular-season game around April 21 and to be playing in the outfield by May 21.

Acuna has been sidelined since tearing his ACL last July. The injury forced the two-time All-Star to miss Atlanta's run to its first World Series title since 1995.

The addition of the designated hitter role to the National League as part of the league's recently signed collective bargaining agreement will help expedite Acuna's return to action.

Atlanta projects to start the recently signed Alex Dickerson at DH, with Adam Duvall, Marcell Ozuna, and Eddie Rosario expected to man the outfield.

When Acuna returns, he'll find a new first baseman in the form of the recently acquired Matt Olson. Former Braves stalwart Freddie Freeman reportedly signed a six-year free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Acuna is a two-time Silver Slugger who also captured the NL Rookie of the Year in 2018. He owns a career .281/.376/.549 slash line with 105 home runs, 246 RBIs, and 78 stolen bases in 395 games.