MLB Announces Major Ronald Acuna Jr. Decision on Tuesday
As Major League Baseball enters the second quarter of the 2025 season, the Atlanta Braves are looking to turn things around. Heading into Tuesday, the Braves sit at 20-21 and third in the National League East behind the New York Mets (27-15) and Philadelphia Phillies (24-17).
Scoring runs has been a major issue for Atlanta. Only the Colorado Rockies (134 runs) and Pittsburgh Pirates (130) have scored fewer in the National League than the Braves (161).
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A big reason for the offensive struggles has been injuries to key players. But on Tuesday, the Braves received some much-needed good news — one of their superstars is on the path back.
According to MLB's official Instagram account, ""Ronald Acuña Jr. starts his road back to the Braves tonight. He’ll begin a rehab stint with the Braves’ Florida Complex League team Tuesday."
Acuna, 27, has been sidelined since last May after suffering a leg injury while taking a lead off second base. Though he walked off the field under his own power, an MRI later revealed a complete tear of his left ACL.
Before the injury, Acuna had played 49 games in 2024, hitting .250 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. His absence was a huge blow. Combined with other injuries, Atlanta finished the season with just 89 wins — 15 fewer than in 2023 — and was swept by the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card round.
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Acuna, a four-time National League All-Star, won the NL MVP in 2023 and Rookie of the Year honors in 2018. He has a career .289 batting average with 165 home runs.
Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves.Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
This season, the Braves are led offensively by third baseman Austin Riley, who’s hitting .287 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. Marcell Ozuna is batting .271 with six homers while Michael Harris II has struggled, managing just three long balls so far.
Injuries haven’t been limited to the offense. Starter Spencer Strider remains out with a right hamstring strain but is expected to return soon after a simulated game. Atlanta hopes to get him back in the rotation for the heart of summer.
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The pitching staff has also been hit hard. Starter Reynaldo López was shut down for 12 weeks after his first start in late March, and Joe Jiménez has yet to appear this season. Jiménez and is expected to miss the entire year.
As the Braves battle through a tough stretch, Acuña’s return could provide the spark they need. Following the Braves' three games at home against the Nationals, they will head to Boston for a weekend series against the Red Sox.
