MLB Posts 7-Word Message Before Ronald Acuna Jr.'s Return

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated May 23, 2025 12:09 PM ET

When the 2025 season opened, the Atlanta Braves quickly emerged as one of the most disappointing teams, losing their first seven games, being swept by the San Diego Padres (four-game series) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (three-game series).

However, despite those struggles, they've slowly started to recover and currently have a 24-25 record and sit in third place in the NL East with a plus-eight run differential.

Now, some major reinforcement is on the way, because on Thursday, the Braves announced that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. would be joining the team on Friday before their three-game series against the Padres.

It's a highly anticipated return that has caught a lot of attention, and even from MLB, which on its official Instagram page posted a graphic of Acuna highlighting that this will be his season debut with the caption "La Bestia is ready to be unleashed."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MLB ⚾ (@mlb)

Of course, this is a big deal as the outfielder has been out nearly a year, playing his last MLB game on May 26, 2024, after tearing the ACL in his left knee, which he eventually underwent surgery for on June 6.

It could prove to be a much-needed boost for the Braves because in his seven-year career, which started back in 2018, Acuna has been a special player, being named an All-Star four times, earning three Silver Sluggers and winning the 2023 NL MVP award.

All of that is backed up by some impressive numbers, as he's accumulated 2,818 at-bats, 815 hits, 581 runs scored, 165 home runs, 417 RBIs, 196 stolen bases, 368 walks and an OPS of .904.

Now, it will remain to be seen if Acuna can come in and have an immediate impact, as he and the Braves are scheduled to take on the Padres at 7:15 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: