Atlanta Braves’ star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL the first time on July 20th, 2021, and Acuña Jr. returned to the Braves on April 28th 2022, that’s less than nine months. Now, everyone’s body is different but for most athletes it takes them nine to 12 months to get back from an ACL tear, and he came back in a little less than nine.
However, In that 2022 season Acuña Jr. did struggle, and didn’t quite look like himself batting .266 with 124 hits, 15 home runs, 50 RBIs and 71 runs scored in 119 games. Ronnie eventually did bounce back as he had his 40 home run 70 stolen bases MVP season in 2023 three, but it took him time to get back to his old self, and there were questions about whether or not he came back too fast after his first ACL tear.
This time around Acuña Jr. and the Braves took a much more patient approach after he tore his ACl for the second time back on May 26th, 2024. Instead of coming back in a little less than nine months Acuña Jr. is coming back in a little less than a year as he makes his return to the Braves tonight May 23rd. 2025.
Our very own Braves insider and reporter Grant McAuley joined The Morning Shift earlier today, and explained why he believes the Braves' "methodical method” to Ronald Acuña Jr. 's second ACL tear will ultimately lead to Acuña Jr making more of an immediate impact for Atlanta.
“I think we have seen a much more methodical method put into practice here, and I think that’s gonna ultimately be beneficial for him.” McAuley said
Grant also said he feels that ultimately a longer rehab stint and a longer recovery time is what Ronnie needed, and that Acuña Jr. felt that way as well.
Hopefully this longer rehab stint and longer ramp up time leads to the Braves getting less of the 2022 Ronald Acuña Jr. and more of the 2023 MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., we’ll find out when Acuña Jr. makes his much anticipated return to the Braves when Atlanta starts a three game home series tonight against the San Diego Padres.