Acuña Jr. will meet with those doctors in hopes of getting clearance to start a running program. The 27-year-old could then begin a rehab assignment after getting through that program, but there’s still no timetable for when the former MVP will return. The earliest realistic point is the middle of May, but fantasy managers will have to remain patient

Nothing has changed regarding Acuña’s potential return timeline as the expectation remains that he’ll be ready to make his season debut at some point in late April or early May, barring any setbacks. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar didn’t play in any Grapefruit League contests this spring and will need several weeks of game action to get back up to speed before returning to Atlanta’s lineup.

Acuña’s rehab from ACL surgery is coming along quicker this time than when he previously tore his other ACL, Anthopoulos said. The Braves aren’t going to provide an official timetable for his return to the lineup until late in the spring, but it sounds like he’s due back about a month into the season.

There was initially optimism that Acuña could return before Opening Day after he suffered his torn ACL, but that has faded, and now the outfielder is all but assuredly going to open the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. With the former MVP sidelined, it’s expected that Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will split time in right field with newly-signed Jurickson Profar handling left field and Michael Harris lined up in center. Even with the missed month, Acuña is well worth a (relatively) early draft selection this spring.