Injuries have been a major theme for the Braves in the 2024 season, and the latest setback is Austin Riley, who is sidelined for the rest of the regular season due to a fractured wrist. He adds to a growing list of key players who have missed significant time this year, including Ronald Acuña Jr., who tore his ACL over Memorial Day weekend for the second time in his career.
Although Acuña has been largely absent from the team since his injury, he traveled with the Braves over the weekend and spoke to reporters for the first time in a while. He revealed that he plans to take a more cautious approach to his recovery this time. Unlike his return in 2022, when he rushed back from a similar injury, Acuña is determined to wait until he is fully healed before resuming play.
Typically, ACL recovery for athletes takes around 8-12 months. Acuña tore his ACL in July 2021 and returned to play by late April 2022, but struggled with performance, hitting career lows across major offensive stats. Despite a challenging recovery, he rebounded spectacularly in 2023, delivering a historic 40/70 season and earning his first NL MVP award.
Given that Acuña’s current injury occurred earlier in the season compared to 2021, he could potentially be ready for Opening Day. However, it’s clear he intends to be patient with his recovery. As the season unfolds, Braves fans are united in their support, encouraging him to take all the time he needs to return to form.
Acuña is not only a key player for the Braves but also a significant figure in baseball. His absence is deeply felt across the game, and fans are hopeful he will make a full recovery and continue to create memorable moments on the field, no matter how long it takes.
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