Braves make critical Ronald Acuña Jr. decision after surprising medical update
Context:
The Atlanta Braves are anticipating the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. as he nears the end of his recovery from an ACL tear, with a rehab assignment slated to begin later this month. Initial concerns that Acuña might need to see specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles were alleviated when the doctor deemed it unnecessary, leaving the Braves to decide on his rehab timeline. Acuña, who signed a significant contract extension in 2019 and won the National League MVP in 2023, has been a pivotal player for the Braves, known for his remarkable offensive capabilities. Despite the Braves' rocky start to the season, their current improvement places them in a promising position, and Acuña's return could further bolster their performance. Although there are uncertainties regarding his agility post-injury, Acuña's past resilience suggests he could be instrumental in revitalizing the team's playoff aspirations.
Dive Deeper:
Ronald Acuña Jr. has been sidelined due to an ACL tear but is expected to start a rehab assignment soon, which the Braves will initiate later this month according to reports from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Braves initially believed Acuña needed to visit renowned specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, but after consultation, it was determined that his presence was not required, and the decision for his rehab start date rests with the team.
Having signed an eight-year, $100 million extension with the Braves in 2019, Acuña's impact has been significant, highlighted by his National League MVP win in 2023, where he achieved 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases.
Despite a poor start to the season with a 0-7 record, the Braves have improved to 15-18, and Acuña's return is anticipated to provide a critical boost to their offensive lineup.
Concerns linger over Acuña's speed and agility after a second ACL injury, yet his past performance post-injury, where he led the league in stolen bases, offers hope for a strong comeback.
Acuña's contributions have earned him four All-Star selections and three Silver Slugger awards, and his recovery is crucial for the Braves' potential resurgence as National League contenders.
Sports journalist Aaliyan Mohammed, with a background in covering MLB prospects and other sports, reports on these developments, emphasizing the importance of Acuña's recovery and potential impact on the Braves' season.
The Atlanta Braves have been without Ronald Acuña Jr. all season as he has been recovering from an ACL tear. However, his return is around the corner, and a rehab assignment could start soon.
Acuña is expected to start a rehab assignment later this month, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The Braves thought Acuña was going to have to see a specialist, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, in Los Angeles, but were surprisingly told this was not necessary.
"On Ronald Acuña Jr.: Braves discussed him seeing Dr. Neal ElAttrache in LA again," Toscano wrote on X. "But the Braves talked to ElAttrache today and the doctor said he doesn’t need to see Acuña, and that a rehab assignment start date is up to the Braves. Rehab assignment will begin this month."
Acuña signed an eight-year, $100 million extension with the Braves in 2019. He won the National League MVP Award in 2023 when he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. The Braves started the season off 0-7, and many thought even Acuña could not save them.
However, now the team is 15-18, and showing signs of life. Getting Acuña back should be a huge boost to their offense. It's unclear how electric he will be on the basepaths following his second ACL injury. However, after he tore his ACL in 2021, he ended up leading the league in stolen bases just two seasons later.
He is a four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger. The Braves will not want to rush his recovery, but they cannot get him back soon enough. He could be the missing piece in getting things turned around and making the Braves a National League contender again.
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