The Atlanta Warriors' former National League MVP Acuña Jr.'s 2025 season debut is finally here

Ronald Acuña Jr. is officially back.

After the Atlanta Warriors lost 7-8 to the Washington Nationals in ten games Thursday night, head coach Brian Snitker confirmed that Acuña Jr. will be activated from the injury list ahead of Friday's series opener against the San Diego Padres.

"I reconfirmed with him before the game that I decided not to let him play in the triple-A game in Louisville tonight, but to go back to the team tomorrow after resting and adjusting," Snitke said, "and he feels ready and it's exciting to be back on the line." "

Acuña Jr. was scheduled to play for triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night, but was temporarily withdrawn from the squad before the game. The move bought him time to return to Atlanta for Friday night's Truster Park event.

"He's been training continuously," Snitke revealed before the game, "and the outfield is not about recovering from a knee injury (his knee is fine), it's about the overall fitness. He's lean, he's in great shape, and most importantly, he's self-reported feeling good – and the feedback was positive after training last night. "

After a year-long rehabilitation, little Acuña knows how to be patient. Three years ago, he made a hasty return less than ten months after torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, resulting in continued discomfort for the rest of the 2022 season. In the subsequent 2023 season, he was unanimously elected MVP of the National League with an unprecedented performance of "40 hits and 70 thieves".

Can Acuña Jr. quickly return to his peak form in 2023? He probably won't steal bases as often as he used to — which is normal for a 27-year-old player who has undergone major knee surgery. But with strength and arm strength alone, he is still expected to remain at the top for many years to come.

For the first time in a year, the Warriors are back in the realm of true trailblazers. Acuña Jr. hit 0.293/0.384/0.533 during his first career bat. He is the only player in MLB history who has played at least 2,000 batting points and has a base-up percentage of over 0.380 and a batting percentage of over 0.530. Even if the bar were relaxed to 0.350 on base and 0.500 on base, only Mookie Betts and Charlie Blackmon could match it. The Warriors hit the first batter of the season with a score of 0.237/0.279/0.324, which is the lowest level in the league. Acuña Jr.'s return will not only improve that position, but will also link the firepower of Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson.

"His energy is unmatched," Olsen said Thursday, "and it's exciting to be an MVP-caliber player and the No. 13 to return to the line." His way of playing is contagious, and his talent on the pitch is rare in the world. "

The combination of Eli White left fielder, Michael Harris II's outfield and Acuña Jr.'s right fielder cheered up the pitchers. Alex Verdugo, who was previously banned for 80 games due to Jurickson Profar's drug ban, will switch to a left-hand role. When Profar returns (unable to play in the playoffs), the depth of the outfield will be strengthened again.

The author predicts that Acuña Jr. will still hit 25 hits even though he has only played for more than four months this season. Since spring training, he has been playing ultra-long-distance home runs frequently in his percussion practice, and his muscles have improved during the long rehabilitation period. During his restricted running training, he practiced his shots through countless strokes. Judging from the perspective of strength, it is just around the corner to regain its peak form in 2023.