Ronald Acuna Jr., the standout outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, said he is not hurrying his healing from a torn left ACL he suffered in May, but he hopes to be back on the field in time for Opening Day in 2025.
According to MLB.com, Acuna stated on Wednesday, “I’m just going to be a little more cautious and careful with (my recovery).” “If the team and the doctors tell me I’m ready to go and I go out there and I don’t feel good, or something’s bothering me, then I will say something.”
On May 26, in Pittsburgh, Acuna was hurt while jogging the bases against the Pirates.
In 49 games this season, he was hitting.250 with four home runs and fifteen RBIs, having won the 2023 National League MVP Award. Acuna achieved the first 40–70 season in league history last year by launching 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases.
His remarkable campaign occurred two years after he missed the entirety of the 2021 season due to a torn right ACL, which resulted in the Braves’ most recent World Series victory.
Acuna acknowledged that he might not be as explosive on the basepaths when he returns after suffering two serious knee problems less than three years apart.
“We’re really going to focus on my hitting and fielding and anything I can do to help the team win,” he told MLB.com. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to steal the 40 or 50 bags as easily as I can run and steal those bases. That remains to be seen, in my opinion. However, I have no idea how that will turn out.”
Throughout his career, Acuna, 26, has hit.289 with a.904 on-base plus slugging percentage. In 722 games over the course of portions of seven seasons, all with Atlanta, he has recorded 165 home runs, 417 RBIs, and 196 stolen bases.
The Braves’ 2019 season begins on March 27 at the San Diego Padres. Currently, they are in a tie for two wild-card slots with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks.
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