The Atlanta Braves are finally back home after a grueling nine-game road trip out West, but there's no rest for the weary. Fresh off the plane, they're set to face the Chicago Cubs in a showdown between two of the National League's top contenders. While the Braves are getting a key piece back in Ha-Seong Kim, they'll have to navigate the series without two of their regular contributors.

Catcher Sean Murphy recently landed on the 10-day IL with a fractured finger, but the timeline for his return is far from short. "It's a broken bone, so you're probably looking at eight weeks," interim manager Walt Weiss told reporters. "Then you have to factor in getting back into baseball shape, so it'll be some time." For a team that's already dealt with its share of injuries, this is another tough blow behind the plate.

There was some hope that Ronald Acuña Jr. might be ready to return during this homestand, but Weiss tempered those expectations. "Ronnie's doing well. He's progressing. He's still out," Weiss explained. "I think we'll get through this homestand and re-evaluate again. He's still got some work out in front of him. He is progressing, so that's a good thing. We still got some time before we see Ronnie." For Braves fans eager to see their superstar back in action, patience remains the name of the game.

The good news? Ha-Seong Kim has been activated from the IL and is back in the starting lineup, giving the Braves a much-needed boost at shortstop. Weiss acknowledged that returning from injury is never easy, but he's excited about what Kim brings to the table. "That's a challenge for everybody, I don't care who you are," Weiss said. "But I'm excited to have Kim back. He does everything well—every aspect of the game. He's got a really high baseball IQ, he's a winning player. I feel like we're playing really well and we're a good team, and we get better today with Kim."

Weiss also touched on the team's evolving pitching plans, noting how he's been able to effectively utilize a six-man rotation to keep arms fresh during this grueling stretch. With key players returning and others on the mend, the Braves are positioning themselves for a strong run—one that will require contributions from every corner of the roster.