Ronald Acuña Jr. Makes Triumphant Return to Atlanta Braves Lineup
Atlanta, GA – May 23, 2025: After nearly a year sidelined by a torn left ACL, Ronald Acuña Jr. has officially returned to the Atlanta Braves lineup, energizing the team and fans alike. Acuña was activated off the injured list and took his place as the leadoff hitter and right fielder in Friday night’s game against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park.
The Braves announced Acuña’s return following their 10-inning 8-7 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Manager Brian Snitker confirmed Acuña’s activation and noted that the outfielder felt ready to contribute immediately. To make room on the roster, infielder Orlando Arcia, a 2023 All-Star, was designated for assignment.
Acuña’s comeback was marked by a spectacular moment in his very first at-bat. Facing Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta, Acuña crushed the first pitch he saw 467 feet for a home run to left-center field, electrifying the crowd and signaling his readiness after an extensive rehab process. Acuña expressed his excitement, saying through an interpreter that he was “super excited, super happy” and admitted he had trouble sleeping the night before, eager to return to the major leagues.
The 2023 National League MVP had been out since May 26 of last year due to the ACL injury, which required surgery and a cautious rehabilitation approach. He played six minor league rehab games with a .400 batting average and two home runs before the Braves decided to bring him back directly to the big league roster.
Acuña’s return is expected to significantly boost the Braves’ offense. The team struggled at the top of the lineup during his absence, posting a .237/.279/.324 slash line without him. His combination of power, speed, and plate discipline—highlighted by his historic 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases season in 2023—promises to reinvigorate Atlanta’s lineup and energize teammates and fans alike.
Manager Brian Snitker praised Acuña’s impact, saying, “He’s one of those players that you better not go get a beer or whatever, because you might miss something really cool. He’s that type of force in the game. He’s going to energize everybody”.
With Acuña back in the fold, the Braves look to regain momentum and strengthen their push for a successful 2025 season. His return not only fills a critical role on the field but also restores a key emotional and competitive spark to the team.
In summary, Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return to the Braves lineup after nearly a year of recovery is a major boost for Atlanta, marked by an immediate home run impact and high expectations for his influence on the team’s offense and overall performance moving forward.