MLB Rumors: Ronald Acuna Jr. Expected to Return in May from Surgery on Knee Injury

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. won't be ready for the start of the 2025 MLB season as he recovers from a torn ACL, but there's a timeline in place for him to get back on the diamond.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Acuña's return could come in early- to mid-May.

Feinsand noted the Braves have a "general idea" when Acuña will be back, but they are not divulging that information publicly to avoid creating expectations in the event he suffers a setback.

Acuña tore the ACL in his left knee when his leg buckled as he was bluffing a move to third base in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26. He previously tore the ACL in his right knee during the 2021 season.

All indications from Braves camp right now are that Acuña looks great. He was hitting tape-measure homers in the batting cage back in February.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told reporters in November that both Acuña and Spencer Strider, who had Tommy John surgery in April 2024, would not be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

Anthopoulos noted Strider will likely be back before Acuña.

"The fact that they're very active participants basically throughout the spring is a good sign," Anthopoulos said. "Without having a date right now, we're definitely on the shorter end, Strider more so than Ronald."

Jarred Kelenic will likely be Atlanta's starter in right field until Acuña returns.

The 27-year-old Acuña was named NL MVP for the 2023 season. He won the award after hitting a career-high .337/.416/.596 with 41 homers and 73 stolen bases. His 114 combined homers and stolen bases is the second-highest single-season total in MLB history.