The Atlanta Braves have been without Ronald Acuña Jr. this year. They started 0-7, but have since started to salvage their season. They have made a decision in regards to getting their best player back in the big leagues.
According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien, the Braves are sending Acuña to the Florida Complex Rookie League to start his rehab assignment. He will be playing in the outfield out of the gates.
“(Braves’) Ronald Acuña Jr. will begin rehab assignment Tuesday at North Port in the Florida Complex Rookie League,” O’Brien wrote on X. “He’ll play in the outfield, and they’ll see how he feels after some games there before bumping him up to a higher minor league. Still no specific timetable for return.”
The noteworthy part about Acuña starting his rehab assignment is the fact that he is not going to start off as a designated hitter. It is his second career ACL tear, but the fact that the Braves think he can jump right back into the outfield is telling.
When Acuña tore his ACL in 2021, the Braves sent him straight to Triple-A Gwinnett, so they do seem to be taking a different approach this time around. Acuña still has some steps to take before making his 2025 Braves debut, but starting a rehab assignment is a move in that direction.
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The Braves are 1.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Getting Acuña back should give them a huge boost as they make a push to reach the postseason. Acuña is a four-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and former National League MVP. If they get the best version of him, they could make a push to pass the New York Mets in the NL East as well.
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