Braves to activate Soroka for start vs. Mets

LOS ANGELES -- After making their final evaluations, the Braves determined Michael Soroka will not need to make another rehab start before ending what will be a month-long stint on the disabled list.
Soroka will be activated to start Wednesday afternoon's game against the Mets. The 20-year-old right-hander has not pitched for Atlanta since exiting his May 12 start in Miami with right shoulder inflammation. His discomfort was located near his lat muscle.
"He came out of everything really well and the reports were really good," manager Brian Snitker said. "So, we just decided to let him have it."
As of Friday evening, Snitker said the Braves were still thinking about having Soroka make a third rehab start. This led him to mention Wednesday's start could go to Max Fried or highly regarded prospect Kolby Allard, who is not yet on the 40-man roster.
But the Braves determined the time was right for Soroka, who threw 73 pitches over 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. The young hurler will likely be allowed to throw as many as 90 pitches during his return start against the Mets.
Soroka allowed six earned runs and 21 hits over three starts totalling 14 2/3 innings before he was placed on the disabled list. He limited the Mets to one run over six innings during his May 1 Major League debut.
Acuna update
Ronald Acuña Jr. took another step toward returning when he ran in the outfield and hit off a tee while working out at SunTrust Park on Saturday. The 20-year-old phenom's sprained left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has responded favorably through his first two days of workouts.
Acuna, who ranks as MLB Pipeline's top overall prospect, will steadily enhance his exercises before the Braves evaluate him on Tuesday to determine when he might be cleared to begin playing in Minor League rehab games.
The Braves have been without Acuna since he injured his knee while sprinting through first base with an infield single during a May 27 game at Fenway Park.

Replay review uniformity
Snitker expressed his displeasure to plate umpire Alan Porter and crew chief Bill Miller when he thought the Dodgers exceeded the 30-second time limit before challenging the out call made when Brandon McCarthy picked Yasiel Puig off first base during the first inning of Friday night's game.
"I've had two situations where we weren't allowed to [challenge because the time had elapsed]," Snitker said. "The crew chief told me he was going to ask [Dodgers manager Dave Roberts] and if he didn't give him something right then, then he was going to wave him off."
Snitker appreciated the reasoning, but expressed displeasure because he doesn't believe he was afforded the same latitude with other umpire crews this year.
"I thought once the time ran out, it was done," Snitker said. "But [Miller] said, they were told if time was out, then, all right, you have to make a decision."
MLB's replay review regulations stipulate a manager must notify an umpire he is contemplating a challenge less than 10 second after the conclusion of the play. The manager must also issue his challenge within 30 seconds after the conclusion of the play.
It appeared the Dodgers requested the challenge about 35 seconds after the conclusion of the play. The out call stood after the pickoff was reviewed.