Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. made significant progress toward rejoining the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, receiving medical clearance to “ramp up activity and begin progressing toward a rehab assignment,” according to Braves beat writer Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
While an official return date remains uncertain, Acuña appears on track to be back with the team within the next month. This milestone was anticipated, as Braves reporter Grant McAuley noted last week that the 27-year-old star was aiming to be cleared for “lateral movement and quick start/stop running.”
“They just need to evaluate him and give the green light before that can happen,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said last week, via the AP. “This was always part of the plan. He’s not going to push it. It’s been mapped out from the start.”
Ronald Acuña Jr. has been sidelined since May 26 of last season, when he tore his ACL while running the bases. The injury cut short what followed a spectacular 2023 campaign, during which he claimed National League MVP honors after batting .337 with 41 home runs and leading the league in hits (217), runs scored (149), stolen bases (73), and on-base percentage (.416).
Despite Acuña’s absence, the Braves still managed to win 89 games and finish second in the NL East last year, though their playoff run was short-lived as they were swept 2-0 by the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.
So far, 2025 has been a different story — and not in a good way. Atlanta stumbled out of the gate, dropping its first seven games of the season. Production from the outfield has been nearly nonexistent, with the Braves’ top three outfielders combining for just three home runs and none posting an OPS+ above 60. As of Tuesday, the Braves ranked 19th in MLB in team OPS (.678) and 17th in on-base percentage (.306).
Russell Steinberg covers MLB and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A lifelong baseball and basketball enthusiast, he’s also written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, and The Next. A 2012 NYU graduate, he remains involved with the university as a PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for basketball and volleyball games.
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