The Atlanta Braves have been patient with their stars making their way back from injury. Watching Ronald Acuña Jr. work his way back from a second ACL tear, just waiting for any glimmer of hope that he might return to MVP form.
Well, good news—he gave a solid update, which sounds pretty encouraging. Acuña told reporters that he’s feeling about 90-95% right now, and compared to his first ACL recovery, this time around feels much more stable. That’s exactly what Braves Country wanted to hear.
A Slow Start, But A Sooner-Than-Expected Return?
Now, let’s be real—he’s still not expected to be ready for Opening Day. That’s not surprising.
But the fact that he’s already approaching full strength means we might not have to wait too deep into the 2025 season before we see him back in action.
And when he does return? That could be the spark Atlanta needs to launch another run at the top of the National League.
If we rewind to his last fully healthy season in 2023, Acuña put up one of the most ridiculous stat lines we’ve ever seen from a leadoff hitter—41 homers, 106 RBIs, 73 stolen bases.
That was good enough to make him the National League MVP and, one of the most electrifying players in the game. Then came 2024, when the injury bug hit hard. He played just 49 games, hitting .250 with four homers before tearing his left ACL.
It was a brutal blow for him and the Braves, who also had to navigate injuries to key players like Spencer Strider, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies.
Can A Healthy Braves Team Challenge the Dodgers?
Despite those setbacks, Atlanta still managed to finish second in the NL East and make the postseason, only to be bounced by the Padres in the Wild Card round.
But let’s think about this for a second—what happens when this team actually stays healthy? If Acuña comes back strong, Strider gets back to ace form, and guys like Riley and Albies stay on the field? Suddenly, the Braves look like a serious contender to challenge the Dodgers for National League supremacy.
The Dodgers, of course, have only gotten stronger, adding even more firepower to a team that already felt like an All-Star squad. But the Braves, when fully healthy, have the kind of lineup and rotation that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Acuña at the top of the order sets the tone. Riley provides the power. Albies and Matt Olson add the depth. Strider and Sale anchor the rotation. The pieces are there—it’s just a matter of keeping them on the field.
Acuña’s Impact on the Braves’ Future
There are still a lot of “ifs” in play here, but let’s just say this: a healthy Ronald Acuña Jr. changes everything.
If he really is at 90-95% now, it’s only a matter of time before we see him back in the lineup, setting the tone, stealing bases, and launching home runs.
And when that happens, the Braves will be a problem for the rest of the league.
