Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is recovering from the second torn ACL of his MLB career, but he believes he’s nearly back to full form. The 2023 MVP stated on Friday, “I feel great. When they tell me I need to be there that day, I’ll be there.” Acuña sustained the ACL tear in his left knee on May 26 last year and underwent surgery on June 4.

It’s a different knee compared to his previous injury, and each case varies, but we can look at the timeframe set by the 2021 and 2022 seasons for reference. After recovering from his left ACL tear on July 10, 2021, he was back on the field on April 28, 2022, missing the start of that season.

If the timeline mirrors past recoveries, Acuña should be ready for opening day of the 2025 season, although the Braves are cautious and aim to proceed slowly this time around.

In 2022, Acuña struggled early, hitting .207 in his first seven games but bounced back to have a remarkable season in 2023, eventually winning the NL MVP. However, he faced challenges again in 2024 before his injury, finishing with a line of .250/.351/.365 over 49 games.

As the Braves look to rebound after a less dominant offensive performance last season, having a fully fit Acuña will be integral to that effort.