Atlanta Braves superstar outfielder remains one of baseball’s elite players when healthy, but staying on the field has been a challenge. Braves fans are all too familiar with his injury history, including a torn right MCL that ended his 2021 season after 82 games, a shortened 2022 campaign with only 119 appearances, and a left ACL tear that sidelined him in late May 2024.
As the 2025 season approaches, concerns about his health persist. Speaking to reporters Friday, Acuña admitted he’s still not at full strength, estimating his knee is around 90-95%. He remains several weeks away from testing his mobility in running and cutting drills. Despite this, Acuña expressed confidence, saying, “I feel great. When they tell me I need to be there that day, I’ll be there.”
https://twitter.com/AlisonWSB/status/1890404105035677772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1890404105035677772%7Ctwgr%5E11521f549203b13b33efd2b9d08d6b0691c96a13%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fathlonsports.com%2Fmlb%2Fatlanta-braves-ronald-acuna-jr-stunning-injury-admission
Rather than making bold claims about his availability for Opening Day on March 27, Acuña acknowledged he’s still working through the recovery process. He also hinted at possibly reducing his stolen base attempts, a key part of his game. In his 2023 NL MVP season, he stole 73 bases and hit 41 home runs, but in his shortened 2024 season, he managed just 16 stolen bases in 49 games while hitting .250 with four home runs and 15 RBIs.
Acuña will not participate in the Braves’ Grapefruit League games this spring, and according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, he is expected to return at some point in May. “It’s hard,” Acuña admitted. “I’m working hard every day. I’m working to be ready for when they come.”
Leave a Reply