Ronald Acuna Jr. returns to Braves in massive lift nearly one year after crushing ACL tear

The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for a major boost with the return of former NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. after he missed most of the 2024 season with an ACL tear. Acuna is set to make his comeback on Friday night against the Padres, coincidentally just two days shy of the one-year anniversary of his ACL injury last year.

The Braves, who have struggled to live up to expectations so far this season with a 24-25 record, are eagerly anticipating Acuna’s return to the lineup. The 27-year-old outfielder is known as one of the game’s top players when healthy, as evidenced by his MVP performance in 2023. Acuna made history that year by becoming the first player to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 70 bases in a single season.

Despite a slow start to the 2024 campaign, Acuna was off to a promising start before his injury, posting a .716 OPS. His torn ACL occurred while attempting to bluff a steal of third base against the Pirates, bringing his season to an abrupt halt. This was not Acuna’s first ACL tear, as he had previously suffered the same injury to his right knee during the 2021 season.

After undergoing surgery and a lengthy recovery process, Acuna is now ready to rejoin the Braves and provide a much-needed spark to their offense. Without him, the team has struggled to score runs and generate consistent production at the plate. Acuna’s return comes at a crucial time for Atlanta, who currently sits in third place in the NL East, trailing the division-leading Phillies by 7 1/2 games and the Mets by five games.

In preparation for his return, Acuna has been playing in the minors, hitting an impressive .400 with two home runs in six games and 15 at-bats. The Braves are hoping that his presence in the lineup will help turn their season around and propel them back into contention for the division title. With Acuna back in action, Atlanta fans are optimistic about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season.