Exciting Ronald Acuna Jr. Update Surfaces Before Marlins Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Atlanta Braves are fourth in the NL East at 47-66, finding themselves in an unfamiliar spot as the franchise will most likely miss the postseason for the first time in seven years.
The team's overall struggles stem from the lack of availability from its star players, most notably Ronald Acuna Jr.
After suffering a second torn ACL (this time in his left knee) last year, he missed the first two months of the season but returned with a bang, hitting a leadoff home run on the very first pitch he saw in his first at-bat back on May 23.
Since then, the 27-year-old superstar outfielder returned to one of the game's brightest talents, hitting .306 with a 1.005 OPS and 14 home runs over 238 plate appearances.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury Update
Unfortunately, Acuna's return breakout tour came to a halt when he was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 30 with a Grade 1 calf strain after leaving a game the day earlier with Achilles tightness.
Although he avoided a serious injury, any setback came as a disappointment to the superstar, who's already missed a significant amount of time in his young career.
Ahead of Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins, an exciting update emerged via David O’Brien.
"Ronald Acuña Jr. is taking batting practice, hitting bombs, and, as was the case when he was taking ground balls in the infield this week, showing absolutely no lingering sign of the mild calf strain that landed him on the 10-day IL."
Ronald Acuña Jr. is taking batting practice, hitting bombs, and, as was the case when he was taking ground balls in the infield this week, showing absolutely no lingering sign of the mild calf strain that landed him on the 10-day IL.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 7, 2025
Braves Superstar Acuna Remains Face of Franchise Despite Lost Season
Although Atlanta's season is most likely over and there isn't a huge reason to rush Acuna back onto the field, it's exciting he's been able to progress so well after just a week-long absence. The original timetable for his return is 2-3 weeks and he seems on track to reach that.
Acuna made his MLB debut in 2018 and took off immediately on the way to NL Rookie of the Year. Over eight seasons with the Braves, he's etched his name into franchise history already, collecting five All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger Awards, and a historic NL MVP season in 2023.
That year he became the first player to ever hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bags in just one season. He also led the National League in runs scored (149), hits (217), OBP (.416), and OPS (1.012), and this came just two years after his first ACL tear.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.