Let’s talk about Ronald Acuña Jr., the guy who put up a 40-70 season—something we had literally never seen before. But as breathtaking as that was, it came at a cost. Acuña doesn’t just play baseball; he attacks it.
He leaves it all out on the field every time he plays. That makes Atlanta Braves fans go wild but also makes trainers wince. And after tearing his ACL twice in seven seasons, he knows it’s time for a change.
A Smarter Approach to Baserunning
Don’t panic, Braves fans—Acuña isn’t about to turn into a station-to-station guy jogging between bases. He’s still going to be the electrifying player we all love watching.
But after missing almost all of the 2024 season with that second ACL tear, he’s decided that maybe, just maybe, pushing his body to the absolute limit every single time he’s on base isn’t the best long-term strategy.
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez recently shared on the Baseball Tonight podcast that Acuña plans to be a more selective baserunner going forward. And honestly? It makes perfect sense.
“I don’t think you’re going to see the 70-steal season from him ever again,” Gonzalez said. “One thing he told me is he’d rather steal 30 bases and be in the lineup than try to steal 70, and something pops up later, and he has to miss significant time.”
Why the Braves Need Acuña in the Lineup
That level of maturity and awareness is crucial at this stage of his career. Acuña is only 27, but two major knee injuries change your perspective.
You can’t play at an MVP level if you’re stuck on the IL. And while Braves fans might miss the jaw-dropping steal totals, let’s be real—Acuña in the lineup every day is worth far more than an extra 40 stolen bases.
Remember, this isn’t the 2021 Braves, who managed to win a World Series without him. This current version of the team is built around Acuña. His bat, presence, and energy make him one of the most valuable players in baseball. Atlanta needs him healthy, not sprinting full speed into another injury.
When Will Acuña Return?
So when will he be back? The expectation is sometime between May and June, though Acuña himself says he’s already feeling 90-95 percent in spring training. That’s an encouraging sign, but Atlanta is playing it safe. No point in rushing him back just to risk another setback.
Acuña’s evolving, and that’s a good thing. He can still be an elite player without playing quite as recklessly. And if that means Braves fans get a full season of their superstar instead of half a season of “what if,” that’s a trade worth making.
