Atlanta Braves All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to make his 2025 debut Friday after sitting out nearly a full season because of a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament, the team announced Thursday.
The 2023 National League MVP sustained the injury to his left knee on May 26, 2024, at the Pittsburgh Pirates. He underwent surgery on June 6.
Acuna started a rehab assignment last week in the minor leagues, batting .400 with two homers and two RBIs in 15 at-bats over a six-game span.
The Braves open a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres on Friday.
Acuna hit .250 with four homers, 15 RBIs and 16 steals in 49 games last season before the injury.
In 2023, Acuna was the unanimous MVP as he belted 41 homers and stole a major league-best 73 bases to post the first 40-70 season in MLB history. He batted .337 and led the majors with 149 runs, 217 hits and a .416 on-base percentage.
His historic season came two years after he sustained a torn right ACL on July 10, 2021, and sat out the rest of that season.
Since making his major league debut in 2018 at 20 years old, Acuna has batted .289 with a .379 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, 165 homers, 417 RBIs and 196 steals in 722 games over seven seasons. He's a four-time All-Star.
Field Level Media and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
