One of the biggest storylines Atlanta Braves fans will focus on during Spring Training and the start of the 2025 season is the injury status of star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
Last season, Acuna played in 49 games after suffering a torn ACL in May 2024. Sadly, it was the second time in the past three years that the four-time All-Star tore his ACL. The first time happened on July 20, 2021.
Acuna rebounded from his first ACL injury, hitting .266 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI in 2022, and was named to the All-Star Game. Then in 2023, Acuna took off and cemented himself as one of the best players in the National League, winning MVP. The star outfield slashed .337/.416/.596 with 41 home runs and 105 RBI. He also had a major league-best 73 stolen bases and was only caught stealing 14 times.
Braves fans would love to see Acuna return to his 2023 form or come close to it in 2025. But the star outfielder made a shocking admission about his game when speaking with reporters on Friday.
Acuña says he feels good and believes his left knee is more stable than his right knee was coming off the 2021 ACL tear. He acknowledges he will need to be less aggressive on the bases. When asked about not returning until May, he said he’ll be ready whenever the Braves clear him
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 14, 2025
Ronald Acuna Reveals Worrying Detail in Injury Update
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Acuna told reporters that he feels good and believes his left knee is more stable than his first ACL surgery, which involved his knee. However, he said he might have to be less aggressive on the base pads.
Bowman adds that the 27-year-old outfielder was asked about a potential return in May, in which Acuna said he’ll be ready when the Braves clear him.
It’s not shocking to hear that Acuna will be less aggressive when stealing bases as he’s coming off a major injury. Now that’s not to say he won’t steal any bases as it’s part of his game and set the tone for the Braves’ offense.
However, we should not expect him to have 70-plus stolen bases like he did in 2023. Before he went down with the ACL injury in 2024, Acuna racked up 16 stolen bases and was only caught stealing three times in 49 games.
With Acuna limiting his stolen base attempts, Atlanta will need Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II to be active on the base pads.