Both Ha-Seong Kim and Ronald Acuña Jr. are amid rehab assignments in Gwinnett, and either could rejoin the Braves over the next week or so.

Acuña’s role is defined. Alex Anthopoulos didn’t mince words about the idea of him becoming the primary DH — that’s not happening. He’ll continue as the club’s everyday right fielder, which gives the Braves lineup so much more flexibility. Drake Baldwin can DH on his off-days, and it also allows Mauricio Dubon to play shortstop more regularly if needed.

That alone gives the position a much more positive outlook, but Jim Jarvis‘ play since his call-up has sparked some optimism as well, and even Ha-Seong Kim is showing signs of life during his rehab assignment. He’s hit safely in four of six games, has three extra-base hits, and more than anything, is hitting the ball hard again.

More encouraging is that 4 of the 7 balls Kim has put in play for Gwinnett have had an exit velo of 98.7 mph or higher. Just 6 of the 49 balls he put in play for Atlanta were hit that hard. It’s AAA pitching, but that’s what we have to evaluate for now. As for defense, Dubón and… https://t.co/meuPArXmR0

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 20, 2026

Everybody should still have their reservations about Ha-Seong Kim. He spent the first six weeks on the IL and came back looking like the worst player in baseball, hitting .068 over 73 at-bats. A few decent games on the farm against far lesser pitching isn’t going to make anybody forget that, but on the off chance he does find his footing over the last couple of months, it could be a massive addition to the Braves lineup.

Still, it’s going to be an uphill battle for Kim to earn playing time at all. Jim Jarvis has been a breath of fresh air in his absence, and even if he begins to falter, Mauricio Dubon should get most of the starts at shortstop. Kim is going to have to do a lot to prove he deserves play, and there might not even be enough time left for him to earn that chance.

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Photo: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire