Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves’ outfielder, is facing the reality that a second major knee injury may hinder his performance in the upcoming season. Acuña had an outstanding season last year, but he tore his left ACL during a game in May. He is currently rehabbing in Los Angeles and hopes to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. However, he remains cautious and will listen to his body before making any decisions about returning to play.
Acuña acknowledges that he may not be able to steal as many bases as before or be as dynamic on the field due to his injury. He plans to focus on his hitting and fielding skills instead, doing whatever he can to help the team win.
During a recent media session, Acuña was asked about Shohei Ohtani’s impressive performance this year, hitting 50-plus homers and stealing 50-plus bases. Acuña responded by saying it’s up for debate whether Ohtani’s achievements are more impressive than his own 40-70 season.
Despite being sidelined for most of this year, Acuña has been watching his team succeed from the sidelines. He believes that no one is irreplaceable in baseball and injuries are just part of the game. When someone goes down with an injury, another player steps up to take their place.
Acuña’s recovery progress will determine how much he can contribute at Spring Training next year. If he feels good and is cleared by doctors, he will be eager to get back on the field. However, he will prioritize caution and listen to his body throughout the process.
