Braves' Matt Olson to replace Ronald Acuña Jr. in Home Run Derby

Chad Bishop, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jul 11, 2025

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ATLANTA — The Braves announced Friday that first baseman Matt Olson will now participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby at Truist Park, replacing right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

Acuña had told FanDuel Sports Network on Wednesday that he planned to hit in the event

“Yes, sir,” Acuña told FanDuel Sports Network when asked if he still plans to compete. “I’m so excited to be there with the best players in baseball in my city.”

Acuña was scratched from the Braves’ lineup Tuesday against the Athletics due to lower-back tightness, but he played the final two games of that series. He was hitting leadoff and starting in right Friday against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Acuña is still slated to start Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He has 11 home runs this season, including two during Wednesday’s victory in Sacramento over the A’s.

Olson has a team-leading 17 homers this season.