The familiar sounds of gloves popping and bats cracking have returned to CoolToday Park in Florida as the defending champion Atlanta Braves get set for the 2022 season. Braves fans will be delighted to know that a familiar sight has also returned—Ronald Acuña Jr. absolutely destroying the baseball.
Finishing up his BP session, the Braves superstar drilled one over the center-field wall, and according to MLB Network’s Mark Bowman, he said what fans have been waiting for ever since the ACL injury back in July 2021.
“I’m back.”
However, This doesn’t mean that we’ll see Acuña on Opening Day.
ESPN’s Marly Rivera reported Sunday that Acuña is “hopeful” for a return in May and the timeline depends on his progress this spring. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos stated Monday that "Acuña likely can't hit the field until late May."
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The 24-year-old was en route to another stellar season in 2020 with 24 home runs and a .283 batting average before he went down with the injury and Braves fans everywhere are filled with anticipation to see him back on the field.
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The Braves will play their first spring training contest this Friday against the Twins and open the regular season at home on April 7 against the Reds.