The Atlanta Braves have been without their two most important players for the majority of the 2025 season. One of them just made just one appearance before landing on the injured list, joining Ronald Acuña Jr., the star is yet to suit up this year.
Despite their absences, Atlanta has clawed its way back toward a .500 record after opening the season with a tough 0-7 stretch. The recent surge has been driven largely by a suddenly explosive offense that’s ranked near the top of the league over the past three weeks.
The lineup has been bolstered by surprising performances from players like Eli White, Nick Allen, and Alex Verdugo. But the Braves know those hot streaks won’t last forever. To remain competitive deep into the season, they’ll need Strider and Acuña back in the fold. Unfortunately, manager Brian Snitker did not have encouraging news on either front.
Currently, no return dates have been set. Strider is easing back into activity and has started throwing again following a Grade 1 hamstring strain, while Acuña has yet to begin a rehab assignment.
There was initial hope that Acuña might return sometime in May, but MLB.com’s Mark Bowman recently reported that a return before the end of the month is unlikely.
“Speaking of the injury front, the Braves haven’t set a specific timetable for Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return,” Bowman noted. “But the 2023 NL MVP could return to Atlanta’s lineup by the end of May. Though possibly still a few weeks away, this provides another reason to be optimistic about where the Braves are heading.”
Atlanta is expected to take a cautious approach with both players, focusing on keeping them healthy for a potential playoff run in October rather than rushing them back in June. While the current roster has shown enough grit to stay afloat, the Braves’ true ceiling this season will be determined by the health and performance of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider.
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