The Atlanta Braves haven’t been all that impressive in the first quarter of the 2025 MLB season.
With a record that has been on the verge of .500, they began 2025 losing their first seven games and have been battling their back into baseball relevancy.
It’s been difficult for the Braves after newly acquired outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended 80 games for testing positive with PEDs.
Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On top of this, starting pitchers Spencer Strider (hamstring strain) and Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder inflammation) haven’t been playing for the Braves.
With all of this drama filling Atlanta’s organization, they have also been awaiting a return of franchise star and 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr.
Acuna Jr. has been dealing with a torn ACL he suffered on May 26 of 2024.
The six-foot, 205-pound outfielder from Venezuela has been the Braves’ best player since making his MLB debut in 2018.
With a .289 batting average, .379 on-base percentage, .525 slugging and .904 OPS – alongside 165 home runs, 417 RBIs and 196 stolen bases – Ronald Acuna Jr. has been on of baseball’s top players since he’s been in the league.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Ronald Acuna Jr. hits home run in first rehab start
He could be expected to return sometime in May or possibly early June, but he was able to make his first rehab start on Tuesday and he looks like himself.
In his first game back, Acuna Jr. hit a bomb for the Braves’ Florida Complex League team.
He is looking like his old-self before he suffered a torn ACL almost a year ago exactly.
His specific date to return hasn’t been released, but his first rehab start will make Braves fans excited for the rest of Atlanta’s season.
He’ll be a clear upgrade once he’s implemented into the Braves’ lineup as they look to bounce back from a slow start.
The rest of the league should be prepared for the return of the 2023 NL MVP.
