Welcome Back, Ronald: Acuña Jr. Returns to Braves Lineup with Hope and Caution

Acuña Jr. is back and ready to go.

For Braves fans and even baseball fans, It’s been a long time coming.

Nearly a year to the day after collapsing at second base in Pittsburgh, clutching his left knee in pain, Ronald Acuña Jr. is finally back in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup. The 2023 National League MVP is officially set to make his return Friday night against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park, and for Braves fans, it couldn’t come soon enough.

After a torn ACL abruptly ended his 2024 season on May 26, Acuña has fought his way through yet another grueling rehab process—the second major knee injury of his young career. Now, on May 23, 2025, the five-tool superstar is ready to write the next chapter of what’s already been a remarkable career.

The Road to Recovery

When Acuña went down last season, Braves fans feared the worst—and those fears were confirmed quickly. He tore the ACL in his left knee and injured his left knee while taking a lead at second base, a nearly identical injury to the right knee injury that sidelined him back in 2021.

The injury came at a time when the Braves were looking to build momentum and Acuña, despite a slower-than-usual start to the year, was expected to turn things around. Instead, he went under the knife on June 6, 2024, and began the long road back.

Rehab was tedious, but if anyone was going to approach it with fire, it was Acuña. By the time he made it to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier this month for a six-game rehab assignment, he looked sharp—batting .400 with two home runs and a couple of RBIs, showcasing that signature swing Braves fans know and love.

La Bestia Returns

It’s hard to overstate how much Acuña means to the Braves—not just as a player, but as the emotional and energetic heart of the team. His 2023 campaign wasn’t just historic; it was generational. He slashed .337/.416/.596 with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to post a 40-homer, 70-steal season. He was a nightmare for opposing pitchers and a spark plug for his own dugout.

With Acuña atop the order, the Braves offense had rhythm and swagger. Without him in 2024, they had to grind for consistency.

And while the team managed to tread water and stay competitive, it was clear something was missing.

Outlook: High Ceiling, Reasonable Expectations

So what should fans realistically expect from Acuña Jr. as he returns?

The short answer: don’t expect him to come out of the gate right away— but do expect some flashes that Ronald brings in his baseball playing performance.

Recovering from an ACL tear is no small feat, and doing it a second time is a bigger mountain to climb. While his rehab stint in Gwinnett was encouraging, it’s a far cry from facing major league pitching night after night. There’s a big difference between a Triple-A fastball and what Nick Pivetta or Michael King might bring to the mound this weekend for San Diego.

The Braves plan to ease Acuña back in—possibly giving him rest days or even occasional DH duties to take stress off the knee. Expect base stealing to be dialed back, at least early on, and defense in right field to be more cautious.

Still, even 75% of Acuña is better than most players at 100%. His instincts, plate discipline, and bat speed haven’t gone anywhere. It’s just about regaining confidence in the leg and adjusting back to game speed.

Making Room at the Top

To clear space for Acuña’s return, the Braves made a tough call by designating shortstop Orlando Arcia for assignment. Arcia had struggled at the plate and the move shows how much value Atlanta places on having their superstar back in the fold. It is also clear that the shortstop position has been locked up by Nick Allen who has made outstanding plays with the glove while also flashing the bat as well.

With Acuña expected to lead off, the top of the Braves lineup immediately becomes more threatening. Sliding Albies, Austin Riley, and Matt Olson back into their familiar spots means more protection and better matchups for everyone.

The offense, which has kind of taken a step back this season, could be poised to take a step forward like that are used to with Ronald Acuña Jr. back in the mix.

More Than Just Numbers

But Acuña’s return isn’t just about box scores. It’s about confidence. It’s about energy. And it’s about hope.

Injuries have haunted the Braves over the past two seasons—Acuña, Spencer Strider, and others have all missed significant time. But with key pieces now trickling back, the Braves are hoping to flip the switch and make a charge in the NL East.

They’re currently sitting third in the division but very much in the hunt. And the return of their franchise cornerstone could be just the jolt they need.

A New Chapter Begins for Ronald Acuña Jr.

Tonight’s first pitch at Truist Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Against the San Diego Padres, Ronald Acuña Jr. will once again stand in the batter’s box wearing Braves navy and red, helmet tilted just right, #13 chain swinging.

The crowd will rise. The cameras will flash. And for the first time in a long time, everything will feel right again in Truist Park.

Whether it’s a booming home run, a walk, or even a strikeout, just seeing No. 13 back in the lineup is a victory in itself.

Acuña is back. And for the Braves and the baseball world, that’s a reason to smile. Welcome back Ronald, we’ve missed you.