Ronald Acuña Jr. Will Soon Make His Long Awaited Return

In a 2024 season full of disappointment for the Atlanta Braves, the most devastating blow of all came when Ronald Acuna Jr.

tore his left ACL on May 26th against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As the superstar crumpled to the ground, all of Braves country collectively flashed back to July 20th, 2021.

This was, of course, when Acuna tore his other ACL , the first of two major setbacks in a spectacular start to his career.

While fans held out hope that Atlanta could magically overcome the loss once again to raise the World Series trophy, these dreams were quickly dashed as the season spiraled out of control without the phenom right fielder.

Ronald Acuna Jr.

Looking for Bounceback Season Weve Been Here Before Heading into this season, it feels eerily similar to the start of 2022 regarding Acuna , now 27.

He says hes targeting the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta beginning on May 2nd for his return to action, which would be only four days later than when he came back last time (and logged two steals in his first game).

If he can hit this target, that weekend will be an even more raucous one at The Battery Atlanta.

SCOOP for @braves_today : Sources close to Ronald Acuna Jr.

report that hes targeting Friday, May 2nd, the start of a three-game home series against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, as his return to play date pic.twitter.com/HaQBklgBT8 Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) February 3, 2025 It wasnt all roses three years ago, though.

Acuna went on to have a decidedly average 2022 season by his lofty standards, posting a .266/.351/.413 slash line with only 15 home runs, 50 RBI, and 29 steals in 119 games.

The Venezuelan said he didnt feel comfortable on the surgically repaired knee for most of the year and had trouble getting on time and generating power at the plate.

But then, after a regular offseason, we saw what he is capable of in 2023 when he raised his numbers astronomically and ran away with the National League MVP award.

Why Acunas Return Should Look Different This Time Expecting Acuna to return to his 2023 form right away would be foolish (although if anyone can do it, its probably him).

But heres betting that his offensive numbers wont sag to the same level as before, for a few reasons.

For one, he admittedly returned too quickly in 2022, about nine and a half months post-injury, whereas it will be closer to a full year this time.

Having gone through the arduous rehab process before, he has surely learned some other lessons that will further ease the comeback.

But perhaps more importantly, Acunas plant leg is just fine this time.

Rather, its his front leg that could potentially be balky in 2025.

This means his batted ball data is far less likely to be negatively impacted.

In 2022, Acuna recorded just a 12.8 barrel % and a .486 xSLG, both career lows excluding the 49 games he played last year.

When he got comfortable on the knee again, these shot up to 15.3 and .660.

The latter marks are probably closer to what we can expect from the Braves star this year at the plate.

Stolen bases are the area where we are likely to see the most decline.

Now having to look after two surgically repaired knees, Acuna will almost certainly not approach his 2023 total of 73 steals, and unfortunately, he may never again.

In fact, he has already said this spring that he will be extra careful on the bases this year.

Ronald Acuna Jr., now doing interviews in English, said hes planning to take it easy on the bases, after tearing left ACL in May, the #Braves stars 2nd torn ACL (right in 2021).

Said hes running at about 90-95%, feels more stable on knee than coming back from 1st surgery.

pic.twitter.com/onO11fz3hg David OBrien (@DOBrienATL) February 14, 2025 Acuna Vital to Braves Success Dont be fooled by what the Braves were able to accomplish in winning it all without their biggest star the last time he went down.

To get past the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers, and others in 2025, they will need their sparkplug healthy and productive.

Braves fans clamored for more major offseason moves, but Alex Anthopoulos stayed passive other than the Jurickson Profar signing .

He clearly views Acunas return as more significant than any potential outside addition.

Atlanta will roll with the largely underwhelming platoon of Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz in right field to begin the season.

Even if they exceed expectations, the return of Ronald Acuna Jr.

is sure to provide a jolt to what is already one of baseballs best lineups.

If his hitting is closer to the 2023 levels than 2022, it will greatly help the Braves chances of reclaiming the NL East crown.

2025 Projections (Steamer) PA: 590 Triple Slash: .292/.379/.509 HR: 26 R: 102 RBI: 73 SB: 44 wOBA: .382 wRC+: 146 WAR: 4.9 This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..

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