Remember when Acuna’s knee buckled? In a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26, 2024, Ronald Acuna Jr. sustained a major injury when he doubled to lead off the contest and tried to steal third base. Having his surgery on June 4, he has been quiet since then.

But hold on tight, because we’ve got something HUGE about his recovery.

In a recent interview with WSBTV’s Alison Mastrangelo, Acuna Jr. talked about his stability: “That’s maybe 90-95%. I’m feeling great.” But is he on any restrictions? Even better news. “No, no, I don’t think so! There are priorities, and I am feeling great! That’s the most important thing.”

 

With Ronnie and without Ronnie – the difference has been felt statistically and subjectively. The Braves’ average run production was greater than 5 runs a game with him on the team. Since his injury, the scoring has decreased by almost 20%. Numbers don’t lie! Ain’t it?

But for now, the Braves fans can enjoy a breather!

“One day when they tell me, you need to play that day, I’ll be there,” assured Ronald Acuna Jr. He also shared that he has been getting plenty of cuts and running at a higher rate (90%-95%). Even GM Alex Anthopoulos was hopeful about this 2023 NL MVP: “We think getting him back is going to be big.”

So Acuña Jr. will be back in full form?

This isn’t Acuna Jr.’s first experience with an ACL tear, having torn his right ACL in July 2021 and missing the rest of that season. But the question is how is the rehab this time?

“The last was hard because they do meniscus,” Acuna Jr. added. Pointing out the difference between his last recovery and this one, he exclaimed, “But I feel great. I’m feeling more stable.”

But he’s not taking things causally as he lightheartedly mentioned, “I need to take it easy a little bit. But it will be hard once I get on base!”

Ronald Acuna Jr. has shown that injuries are mere bumps in the road. After his ACL tear in 2021, he returned at the end of April 2022 and then stormed into 2023 smashing 41 home runs and stealing a historic 73 bases, all on the way to an NL MVP season. And so, if he can walk anywhere near that performance, the Braves would definitely get most of the benefits.

The journey from saying “Every setback is a setup for a comeback” to “I’m feeling great” was not as easy as it seemed. But one thing’s clear: Ronnie’s a fighter. His positivity, in concert with a rehabilitative regimen, has Braves fans all excited about his eventual return.

It might take a little longer, but to hear the update from Acuna Jr. himself – well, worth the wait, isn’t it? “But the big thing for us is just making sure when he’s back, he’s full go and he’s back to the elite player he’s always been,” said a hopeful Alex Anthopoulos.

So, Braves fans, are you as confident as Ronnie that he’ll be back stronger than ever? Let’s hear it from you!