3 days agoAtlanta Braves right fielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will head to Los Angeles soon to get the final clearances from doctors to ramp up his running and eventually start a minor-league rehab assignment, according to 929 The Game's Grant McAuley. There is no firm timetable for when Acuna might make his 2025 season debut, but the team is anticipating an early- to mid-May return, barring a setback. The 27-year-old has been taking batting practice and doing some baseball activities for a while, but he'll need to ramp up his running program and be cleared to play defense before he can start a rehab assignment. The Braves want the former MVP to be a full-go when he's activated from the injured list, so they aren't going to rush anything for a player coming off a second torn ACL in his other knee. Acuna might not be the same player that hit 41 homers and stole 73 bags in 2023, but he still has the ability to be a difference-maker when healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
2 weeks agoThe Atlanta Braves officially placed outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) on the injured list, the team announced. Acuna was put on the 10-day IL, while Strider is on the 15-day IL. Additionally, infielder
Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) and catcher
Sean Murphy (rib cage) were put on the 10-day IL. All the moves were backdated to March 24. Despite tearing both of his ACLs now, RotoBaller has Acuna ranked as the No. 16 fantasy outfielder in 2025. The 27-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star is expected to make his season debut at some point in May, barring a setback once he resumes playing in games. Strider, meanwhile, is recovering from internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but he's further along and is expected to make his 2025 debut in April. He was able to make two Grapefruit League starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
4 weeks agoAtlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) believes that he can play better than he ever has but will change his playstyle. The former 2023 NL MVP noted that he would "rather steal 30 and play a whole year as opposed to stealing 70, injuring myself and missing a whole year." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the early part of the season as he is currently targeting a return sometime in May. Acuna suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last season but is on pace to make his 2025 debut early in the campaign. Before suffering the injury in May 2024, Acuna held a .250/.351/.365 line with four home runs and 16 stolen bases. During his 2023 MVP campaign, Acuna posted an impressive .337/.416/.596 line with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases. While he is sidelined in April,
Jarred Kelenic and
Bryan De La Cruz will split time in right field. When he does return, he will be viewed as a high-end No. 1 outfielder. However, he may be less eager to run, which could slightly limit his overall ceiling.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alden Gonzalez
4 weeks agoAtlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is taking part in most baseball activities in camp but has not been cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. Acuna will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment once the 2025 regular season begins in late March, and his return should come in early- to mid-May, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The 2023 National League MVP has the ability to make a huge impact for the Braves and for fantasy managers when he makes his season debut. Acuna also won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and has made four All-Star appearances. However, he's now torn the ACL in both of his knees since 2021 and will miss at least the first month of the 2025 season. His latest ACL tear has taken him from being the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy to No. 29 at RotoBaller.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
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