The Atlanta Braves are staring down a challenging offseason as they focus on 2025. After a 2024 campaign derailed by injuries to key stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider, the team and its fans are left hoping that the upcoming season will usher in better health and renewed strength. Yet, even with the optimism, there’s no escaping the shadow cast by the injuries that defined their previous year.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the health statuses of Acuña and Strider. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, there’s a significant chance that neither of these pivotal players will be ready for the season opener in April. He suggests it may be wise to limit expectations on their recovery timelines. A more realistic timeline coule extend beyond the first month of the regular season. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s built its identity around these stars.
Acuña, a once-in-a-generation talent with a remarkable blend of speed and power, faces a challenging road ahead. Having already undergone surgery on both of his anterior cruciate ligaments, his ability to deliver another electrifying 40-40 season (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) could be in jeopardy. Bowman points out that while his legs may not possess the same explosive speed, Acuña’s arm strength and power at the plate still make him a force. His potential to continue impacting games remains high, but may be seen in different ways.
Meanwhile, Strider’s injury involves the dreaded ulnar collateral ligament. Pitchers are unfortunately very familiar with that one. It is an injury that often requires Tommy John surgery. However, this procedure has become far more routine. Many pitchers bounce back to their elite level. There are no guarantees, but definitely optimistic. Strider had a breakout year in 2023 with 20 wins, 281 strikeouts, and a fourth-place Cy Young finish. He now faces the challenge of proving he can return to that level. Bowman notes Strider’s resilience and determination to overcome adversity could be a crucial factor in his recovery.
The impact of these injuries goes beyond the opening months. Acuña’s second ACL tear raises concerns about his ability to fully regain his speed, which was a major asset to his MVP campaign in 2023 when he stole an astonishing 73 bases. He did showcase the ability to run post-injury back in 2022. But the Braves are likely to be cautious, limiting his stolen base attempts to protect their investment and avoid another setback. Managing Acuña’s recovery while keeping his dynamic potential in play will be a strategic balancing act.
Questions remain about whether they can deliver at their previous All-Star levels in time for a deep playoff run even if these two stars return to the lineup by midseason. Acuña might still offer more value than other right-field options like Jorge Soler. We have to assume he will still be a better defensive option than Soler when he returns. Then, Strider’s competitiveness should bring him back into the conversation as one of the league’s most exciting pitchers.
The Braves, their fans, and baseball enthusiasts everywhere will have to wait and see. The 2025 season carries high stakes; it is full of potential but not without challenges.
