The Atlanta Braves delivered some great news to their fans earlier this week when they announced that star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was beginning his rehab stint. The former National League MVP hasn't played a game since he tore his ACL nearly one year ago, leaving time to tell if his eventual return is enough to launch the Braves into World Series contender status.
Acuna finally made his rehab debut Tuesday night, and it's safe to say things couldn't have gone better. He went 1-of-3 in the batter's box with the Braves' Florida Complex League time in a game against the Baltimore Orioles' FCL squad, which included a home run to prove he hasn't lost a step.
Acuna's strong rehab performance has left Braves fans craving his return even more. Fortunately, the latest update signals that said comeback might not be too far away.
Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. to Join Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday
Following his rehab debut, the Braves have announced that Acuna has been added to Triple-A Gwinnett's roster as his injured list stint continues. The expectation is for the four-time MLB All-Star to be active when the Stripers host the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) at Coolray Field on Thursday evening.
The fact that Acuna only needed one FCL appearance is like great news for his eventual outlook. Assuming that he stays healthy while handling both batting and field duties with Gwinnett, it might not be long before the 27-year-old superstar is back to mashing the leather off baseballs at Truist Park.
It'll be interesting to see which version of Acuna hits the field when he eventually rejoins the Braves. His last full season (2023) saw him play a career-high 159 games, resulting in his leading the Majors in runs (149), hits (217), stolen bases (73), and on-base percentage (.416) while racking up 41 home runs and 106 RBIs en route to NL MVP honors.
Even though the Braves still boast plenty of talented players, it's clear that Acuna's absence is preventing Brian Snitker's club from reaching its full potential. Atlanta is currently averaging only 3.95 runs (22nd) per game with a .312 OBP (16th), showing just how badly the team's offense needs the three-time Silver Slugger to return sooner rather than later.
The silver lining is that oddsmakers still view the Braves as a championship threat, even without their star difference-maker. FanDuel Sportsbook currently has Atlanta sitting with the sixth-best 2025 World Series odds (+1500), which could skyrocket if Acuna's rehab progress is a sign of things to come.
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