It had been nearly a full year since Braves fans last saw Ronald Acuña Jr. in game action — but he made his long-awaited return in style. Starting a rehab assignment after recovering from his second torn ACL, Acuña wasted no time making an impact. In just his third at-bat with the FCL Braves, he launched a home run. After being sidelined for so long, he homered in his very first game back — because of course he did.
Yes, it’s just the Florida Complex League, and Acuña still has a bit to go before he’s ready to rejoin the big-league club, but that swing was more than enough to ignite hope across Braves Country.
Acuña’s return brings instant spark
Adding to the excitement, Acuña had already crushed a hard-hit line drive in his previous at-bat. He’s clearly finding his rhythm fast. Even if the level of competition isn’t elite, this kind of performance right out of the gate is exactly what fans were hoping for — and more.
Most players take time to regain form after such a long layoff, but Acuña is proving once again that he’s a different breed. If he’s looking this sharp now, opposing teams should take notice.
A game-changer for Atlanta
Getting a healthy Acuña back would be a major lift for any team — but for a Braves squad that’s struggled offensively, it could be transformative. Atlanta’s pitching has held up well, but their offense has underachieved again, ranking 21st in runs scored at the time of writing.
Atlanta’s outfield production has been lackluster, so even a solid version of Acuña would be a big help. But if the Braves get MVP-caliber Acuña? That could propel them straight back into serious World Series contention.
While he’s not expected to return to the majors until late May at the earliest, early signs suggest he’s on the right track — and Braves fans have every reason to be fired up about what lies ahead.
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