UPDATE: Acuna is expected to be activated for Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres.
It has been almost a year since we’ve last seen Ronald Acuna Jr. on a baseball field. May 26 of last season was the date when the former National League MVP suffered yet another devastating knee injury, ending his campaign on the spot. Fortunately, we’re getting close to Acuna’s return. While he’s still likely a couple weeks away from putting on an Atlanta Braves uniform, Acuna will begin his rehab assignment this evening in the FCL.
It’s the continuation of what’s been a rollercoaster half-decade for Acuna, who was forced to miss the Braves’ 2021 World Series championship with a very similar ailment. Acuna then struggled in his return in 2022, hitting only .266 with 15 home runs and a 115 wRC+ across 533 plate appearances. It’s likely a data point people would be wise to remember in terms of their fantasy expectations for 2025.
Still, it’s difficult to think conservatively when it comes to a talent like Acuna. We’re less than three years removed from his phenomenal 2023 campaign, a season where the now 27-year-old amassed a .337 average to go along with 41 long balls, 149 runs, 73 steals and a .460 expected wOBA. It’s not a stretch to suggest that it was one of the greatest offensive stat lines in recent MLB history.
Atlanta is currently 20-21, sitting 6.5 games back of the Mets for the lead in the NL East. It is +400 to win the division, yet remains only +1600 to win the World Series. With Acuna and Spencer Strider likely back by early June, the Braves are definitely a tempting pick to have a very successful second-half of the season.
