Ronald Acuña Jr. DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to head to Los Angeles to meet with doctors first thing next week, according to 929 The Game's Grant McAuley. Acuna expects to be cleared for lateral movement and quick start/stop running, which will eventually determine his next steps and a timetable for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The Braves have declined to give the 27-year-old former MVP a specific timetable, but the consensus all along is that he should be ready to make his season debut at some point in early to mid-May, barring a setback. Acuna has already proven he can be a difference-maker in fantasy, but it's possible he will lose a step after now having torn the ACL in both of his knees. Still, he needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues and will be a must-start whenever he returns. Jarred Kelenic has been serving as the team's starting right fielder early on in 2025.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will head to Los Angeles soon to get the final clearances from doctors to ramp up his running and eventually start a minor-league rehab assignment, according to 929 The Game's Grant McAuley. There is no firm timetable for when Acuna might make his 2025 season debut, but the team is anticipating an early- to mid-May return, barring a setback. The 27-year-old has been taking batting practice and doing some baseball activities for a while, but he'll need to ramp up his running program and be cleared to play defense before he can start a rehab assignment. The Braves want the former MVP to be a full-go when he's activated from the injured list, so they aren't going to rush anything for a player coming off a second torn ACL in his other knee. Acuna might not be the same player that hit 41 homers and stole 73 bags in 2023, but he still has the ability to be a difference-maker when healthy.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is scheduled to meet with doctors in Los Angeles in the next few days. After that, Acuna should begin a running program, which is the next step in his recovery process. Once the running program is over, Acuna can start a rehab assignment and hopefully rejoin the Braves lineup after that. There is still no timetable on his return, so fantasy managers will need to continue to be patient. Right now, the hope is that Acuna can get back to contributing in the Braves lineup by the middle of May.