As Ronald Acuña Jr. makes his way back to Atlanta from his rehab stint, the rise in fan excitement is palpable. When a franchise player returns, the energy rises. Ticket sales increase, buzz grows, and there’s a certain electricity throughout the stadium.
The Braves are no exception. Hovering around .500 at 21–21, the team lacks the intimidation factor of a true elite player—one who can beat you with both his bat and his speed, with the constant threat of the long ball.
The term “generational” often gets tossed around without context. But when healthy, Acuña fits the description. He can turn on any pitch and wreak havoc on the base paths. Fans understand what he brings and are eagerly awaiting his return.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Return Sparks Hope for Braves Turnaround
Last May, Acuña suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee. Since then, the Braves’ outfielder has slowly worked his way back. His return couldn’t come at a better time. Atlanta currently ranks 17th in batting average (.240), 15th in on-base percentage (.318), and 15th in slugging (.382).
Those numbers reflect a team stuck in the middle—and in desperate need of its superstar. So when word of Acuña’s return to the outfield in rehab games broke, fans rushed to social media to share their excitement.
The 🐐 about to return
— Ponterio (@P0NTERI0)
Labeling Acuña the GOAT might be a stretch—he’s only logged two seasons where he has played in 120+ games, and now has two surgically repaired knees. But it’s fair to say fans pinning their hopes on a superstar is part of the game. A deep rehab start can spark a chain reaction of emotion.
Ronald Acuña Jr. homered tonight in his first rehab game! 💪
Questions remain about how and where Acuña will play. Conventional wisdom suggests he could return as the designated hitter, but displacing Marcell Ozuna would be difficult. The veteran is hitting .271 with six home runs and owns a .424 on-base percentage.
At this stage in his career, Ozuna can’t play the field. His range and instincts are limited, making him a liability in the outfield. Under those circumstances, Acuña returning to right field appears to be the most likely option. If his rehab is everything Braves (and baseball) fans hope, Acuña’s fielding prowess will also be a welcome sign for Atlanta.
One thing is clear: Acuña holds the key to the rest of the Braves’ 2025 season. Fans know it—and that’s why they’ve welcomed each step of his comeback with such enthusiasm.