Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves’ star outfielder, is facing the daunting task of recovering from his second major knee surgery. Acuña tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending his season prematurely. Despite the emotional toll of another significant injury, Acuña draws strength from his successful comeback after a similar injury in 2021, where he tore the ACL in his right knee and later returned to win the National League MVP in 2023.
The 26-year-old Venezuelan acknowledged the difficulty of processing this latest setback, saying that while familiarity with the surgery and rehabilitation process has made it easier, it hasn’t stopped the tears from flowing. Support from fans, teammates, and coaches has been overwhelming, but Acuña admitted that he often finds himself crying at home, feeling like he’s letting his team down.
Acuña will undergo surgery in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who also operated on his previous knee injury. Following the procedure, Acuña plans to spend at least a month in Los Angeles for rehabilitation, with hopes of returning to the field for the start of the 2025 season.
Manager Brian Snitker expressed concern for Acuña, knowing how much the player loves the game and the challenges he faces during recovery. Snitker, however, remains optimistic about Acuña’s future, citing the outfielder’s youth, strength, and determination as key factors in his anticipated successful return.
Acuña’s injury is a significant blow to the Braves, who have already lost All-Star pitcher Spencer Strider to a season-ending elbow injury earlier this year. Despite these setbacks, Acuña remains resilient, viewing this as another opportunity and even expressing hope that he might come back to win another MVP award.
This injury marks a challenging chapter in Acuña’s career, but his experience, mental toughness, and support system suggest that he is well-equipped to overcome it once again.