Gabriel Burns

Atlanta

Sports and Features Writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sports & features writer @ajc | I retired from the @braves beat on top | @baseballamerica ATL correspondent | BBWAA | Passion, commitment & humbleness

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Articles

Falcons' retooled pass rush should get boost from return of Bralen Trice

1 week ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons drafted two young pass rushers last month, but they have another one on the way as well. Edge rusher Bralen Trice, who the team drafted No. 74 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, tore his ACL in his preseason debut last year. He was still sidelined as OTAs began Tuesday, but the hope is that he’ll be ready for training camp. ExploreRead more about the Falcons“He is at the point where he’s out there with our (physical therapist),” coach Raheem Morris said.
The Braves could use a spark. Maybe Ronald Acuña Jr. provides one.

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

WASHINGTON — The Braves will turn to a familiar face for an energy injection. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will return to their lineup Friday for the series opener against the Padres. Acuña has been out since tearing his left ACL on May 26. He rejoins a team trying to find consistency, especially offensively. “I’m still waiting for us to put all phases together,” manager Brian Snitker said after the team’s 8-7 loss in Washington on Thursday, the latest winnable game that slipped away.
Ronald Acuña will rejoin Braves in coming days

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

WASHINGTON – The Braves are about to have a former MVP atop their lineup again. Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who’s been working his way back from a left ACL tear suffered last May, is expected to rejoin the team in the coming days, manager Brian Snitker confirmed before Thursday’s series finale in Washington. “That’s one of the discussion topics we’re going through, so I think it’ll probably be sooner than later now,” Snitker said.
Braves vs. Nationals postponed because of rain

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

WASHINGTON — The Braves’ game against the Nationals was postponed Wednesday because of inclement weather. The decision was announced almost two hours before the scheduled first pitch of 6:45 p.m. Rain was expected throughout the D.C. area until Wednesday morning. The teams will play a split doubleheader Sept.
Spencer Strider deems return start unacceptable. ‘It’s got to be better’

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

WASHINGTON – Spencer Strider viewed his highly anticipated return Tuesday as an “unacceptable” showing. Strider, in his first outing since April 16, was knocked around early at Nationals Park, resulting in a 5-3 Braves loss. The righty went 4-1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked one. He also hit two batters and committed a throwing error on a pick-off attempt. “I didn’t give us a chance to win the game, really,” Strider said. “It’s got to be better.
Atlanta Braves have gem in rookie catcher Drake Baldwin

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

BOSTON—Drake Baldwin is more than a complementary rookie capable of aiding the Braves’ quest for an eighth consecutive postseason appearance. He’s become the type of player they shouldn’t leave out of their lineup. Perhaps he’ll even become a foundational piece who’ll be instrumental to the team’s future exploits.
These are more like the Braves we expected to see

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

BOSTON – The Braves were serenaded by silence during batting practice Saturday. Fenway Park didn’t blare music, as is typically the case while teams hit pregame. The Braves heard nothing but ambient noise until finishing up – and then music started playing throughout the stadium, coincidently or not. Truth be told, the Braves hit in quietness for most of the weekend. Their offensive onslaughts routinely taking the air out of an otherwise vibrant Fenway Park.
With key relievers unavailable, Braves blow late lead to Red Sox

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

BOSTON – This was supposed to be a story about the Braves’ continued resurgence. But that idea disintegrated when Rafael Devers deposited a Pierce Johnson pitch into the Fenway Park outfield seats. The Braves, who had leads of 5-0 and 6-2, lost 7-6 on Devers’ walk-off blast Saturday. While the team had committed to staying away from some of its key relievers, this was an ugly loss that came one evening after the Braves had surpassed the .500 mark for the first time in 2025.
Ronald Acuña Jr. homers as Atlanta return draws closer

2 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

BOSTON – Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t far from returning to the Braves’ lineup. Soon enough, these home run videos will be recorded at Truist Park instead of Gwinnett. Acuña, serving as a designated hitter Saturday during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett, blasted a 420-foot home run. It was the second homer of his rehab assignment, the first coming in the Florida Complex League. WELCOME BACK, RONALD ACUÑA JR. A 420FT @SoFi RONNIE ROCKET TIES THIS BALL GAME.
Braves have winning record for first time in 2025

3 weeks ago | ajc.com | Gabriel Burns

BOSTON — The team that started 0-7 has a winning record in mid-May. After defeating the Red Sox 4-2 on Friday night, the Braves were 23-22, owning a winning record for the first time this season. They’ve begun an ascent that they hope will make them the first team in MLB history to qualify for the postseason after losing its first seven games. “The makeup of the whole group, they never stopped fighting,” manager Brian Snitker said.