RONALD ACUÑA JR. NEWS

Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. says he has almost fully recovered from ACL surgery

Former National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. says he has almost completely recovered after tearing his left ACL while playing for the Atlanta Braves last May

FEBRUARY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Plans to 'take it easy' on bases Acuna (knee) said Friday that he's planning to "take it easy" on the basepaths as he returns from left ACL surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Acuna estimated that he's running at "90 to 95 percent" and said his surgically repaired left knee feels much more stable than his right knee did following ACL surgery. However, it sounds like he does not intend to be as aggressive on the bases as he was before this most recent operation. While it's an understandable stance to take as Acuna tries to stay healthy, it does put a damper on his stolen base outlook for fantasy purposes. Acuna is expected to miss roughly the first month of the season, although there's been no concrete timetable established.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Won't be rushed back Acuna (knee) will be brought along cautiously by Atlanta in order to try and avoid the struggles he experienced in 2022, after his first ACL surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic...

Impact The star outfielder underwent surgery to repair his right ACL in July 2021 and was back in the lineup by April 28 the following season, but Acuna dealt with lingering soreness that year and wound up finishing 2022 with a disappointing .266/.351/.413 slash line over 119 games. This time around, Acuna is recovering from surgery on his left knee performed in June 2024, and while the extra month-plus of rehab will help, Atlanta still figures to be very careful with his return timeline. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 27-year-old didn't make his 2025 debut until early May.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to miss first month or so Acuna (knee) is expected to miss the first month or so of the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Everything appears to have gone swimmingly with Acuna's rehab from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, an operation which he had in June of 2024. Atlanta is proceeding a bit more cautiously than they did after Acuna's right ACL tear, as a timetable of May 1 would give him about an extra month to rehab than he did for his previous surgery. It's all still tentative at this juncture, as Acuna's timeline could conceivably be moved forward or backward based on how he looks and feels in spring training. Assuming Acuna does begin the season on the injured list, Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz are expected to compete for playing time in right field.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Who could break Juan Soto's $765M record? First look at future MLB free-agent classes

An MLB player has received the biggest contract in sports history in consecutive offseasons. So, who's next? Here are 22 players who could c...

DECEMBER 16, 2024

Unlikely to be ready Opening Day Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday that it appears unlikely Acuna (knee) will be ready for Opening Day, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Co...

Impact Anthopoulos indicated last month that Acuna's readiness for Opening Day was in question, and now it appears things are trending toward a stint on the injured list as the outfielder continues his recovery from left ACL surgery. A timetable for Acuna's season debut remains vague, although Anthopoulos previously suggested it could come as late as early June. A more definitive timeline for Acuna might be available by spring training.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Day not a given Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos indicated Friday that Acuna (knee) isn't a given to be ready for Opening Day, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta repor...

Impact Anthopoulos noted that the club will be deliberate with Acuna's rehab from left ACL surgery and while it's possible the outfielder is ready to play by April, it could be later than that. Acuna's surgery took place in early June, so he will be a little under 10 months removed once Opening Day rolls around. While a timetable for the 26-year-old is fuzzy now, there should be more clarity by spring training.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sale or Skubal in a Game 7? Ohtani's 50/50 or Acuña's 40/70? Smoltz weighs in

The Hall of Famer opines on AL and NL Rookie of the Year, MLB's best postseason rotation, whether the 2024 White Sox are the worst team of a...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Shohei Ohtani or Francisco Lindor for MVP? MLB's best team? Smoltz weighs in

The Hall of Famer shares his thoughts on what current player he'd start a franchise with, the NL MVP race, MLB's top team and the closest po...

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

40/40 Club: Shohei Ohtani joins in record time, complete list

Shohei Ohtani made history again — this time in grand fashion. The Dodgers superstar hit a walk-off grand slam against the Rays on Friday ni...

AUGUST 24, 2024

The longest home runs in the Statcast era

Which players have cracked the list for the longest home runs on record? Here is the list in the Statcast era.

JULY 18, 2024

2024 MLB player poll names Shohei Ohtani best in baseball; Who's most overrated?

An anonymous poll of MLB players named Shohei Ohtani the best in baseball and had plenty more to say about the sport, including most overrat...

JUNE 10, 2024

Ronald Acuña Jr. Roundtable: How his ACL injury changes Braves' fortunes, NL landscape

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season is over, but is the Braves'? FOX Sports MLB experts Rowan Kavner and Deesha Thosar weigh in on how Acuña's injury...

MAY 27, 2024

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. placed on IL after season-ending knee injury

The Atlanta Braves placed outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list on Monday after his second season-ending knee injury in fou...

MAY 27, 2024

Ronald Acuña Jr. leaves Braves' 8-1 win over Pirates with sore left knee

Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. left the Braves’ 8-1 win over the Pirates in the first inning with left knee soreness.

MAY 26, 2024

Leaves game with left knee injury Acuna left in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Pirates due to a left knee injury, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Acuna went down in the top of the first inning Sunday after he planted his left leg trying to go back to second base on a steal attempt. He came off the field limping, though the injury is not the same knee that Acuna had surgically repaired in 2021. With Acuna out, Jarred Kelenic has entered the game in left field, with Adam Duvall shifting over to right field.

MAY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Gonzales drives in 4 runs, Bailey Falter takes shutout into 8th as Pirates beat Braves 11-5

Nick Gonzales drove in a career-high four runs and Bailey Falter carried a shutout into the eighth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 11-5

MAY 25, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records 15th steal Acuna went 0-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.

Impact The steal was Acuna's first since May 4, an unusually long drought without a theft for the speedy outfielder. He was caught on his only attempt over 12 games between steals. Acuna has struggled to get into a rhythm at the plate this season, slashing .247/.355/.351 with three home runs, 12 RBI, 36 runs scored and 15 steals over 203 plate appearances. Some regression from last year's 41-homer, 73-steal campaign was to be expected in 2024, but Acuna's career-low .706 OPS so far has been a brutal overcorrection.

MAY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

What's up with Ronald Acuña, Julio Rodríguez? Orioles' weakness? 5 burning MLB questions

The FOX Sports MLB staff offers its takes on slumping superstars and heavyweight lineups, AL contenders, whether Mike Trout made the right d...

MAY 17, 2024

Gets first day off of season Acuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Acuna is on the bench for the series finale, but his absence doesn't appear to be anything more than a much-needed maintenance day after he had started in right field in each of Atlanta's first 39 games of the season. Adam Duvall will step in as the starting right fielder in place of Acuna, who is in the midst of a cool stretch at the plate with just four hits in 31 at-bats over his last eight starts.

MAY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Andy Pages has walkoff single in the 11th inning, Dodgers outlast Braves 4-3

Andy Pages had a walkoff single in the 11th inning for his fourth hit of the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Friday night

MAY 4, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners bring 1-0 series lead over Braves into game 2

The Seattle Mariners host the Atlanta Braves, leading the series 1-0

APRIL 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS