The Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season was nothing short of a rollercoaster and not fun.
Injuries piled up faster than anyone could have imagined, and despite still managing to make the playoffs, their World Series hopes took a major hit.
The absence of key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. loomed large, with Strider missing almost the entire season after elbow surgery and Acuña Jr. limited to just 49 games before a devastating ACL tear ended his year.
Injury Woes That Derailed the Braves’ 2024 Season
The Braves also had to navigate the loss of Reynaldo López, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley for significant chunks of time.
Then came the crushing blow—Chris Sale, the eventual National League Cy Young winner, was unavailable for the postseason. Talk about bad luck.
But here’s the good news: as spring training looms just a few weeks away, the Braves are finally getting some positive updates on the injury front.
Encouraging Signs for Spencer Strider’s Return
First up—Spencer Strider. According to Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, Strider has already completed four bullpen sessions and is on track for a normal spring training, assuming no setbacks.
However, they’re playing it smart—he won’t be rushed back into action, meaning he won’t be on the Opening Day roster.
Given that he’s returning from Tommy John surgery, an innings limit could very well be in play, and honestly, that’s probably the right move.
When healthy, Strider has been nothing short of dominant, boasting a career record of 32-10 with a 3.47 ERA and an impressive 495 strikeouts in just 329.2 innings.
Atlanta fans are eager to see him back in action, but patience is key here.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Road to Recovery
Then there’s Ronald Acuña Jr. The reigning 2023 National League MVP, who put up video-game numbers with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and an astonishing 73 stolen bases that season, is working his way back.
A recently surfaced video shows him running hard in the outfield—a great sign. However, no official word has been given regarding whether he’ll be ready to go by Opening Day.
Given the nature of ACL injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Braves took a cautious approach and held him out for the first part of the season.
In 2024, Acuña Jr. struggled in his limited time on the field, hitting just .250 with four home runs and 15 RBIs before his injury cut things short.
But fans know what he’s capable of when fully healthy—and the Braves are hoping to get that MVP-caliber production once he’s back at full speed.
Braves Cautiously Optimistic For 2025
So, while 2024 was a season marred by injuries and frustration, the Braves are cautiously optimistic heading into 2025.
With a healthy Strider and Acuña Jr. back in the mix—eventually—the team could be primed for another deep postseason run.
But until then, it’s all about taking things one step at a time.
