Unless you skipped the 2024 season (which is great for you), Atlanta Braves fans are fully aware of the team’s injury problems in 2024.
The season began with the tragic news that Strider needed elbow surgery, and not long after, we learned that Ronald Acuna Jr. was out for the year due to another knee injury. While the Braves made the playoffs, the damage had already been done, and the injuries continued to pile up.
Unless you missed the 2024 season (which is fantastic for you), Atlanta Braves fans are well aware of the team’s injury issues in 2024. The season began with the devastating news that Strider need elbow surgery, and not long after that, we discovered that Ronald Acuna Jr. was out for the season due to another knee injury. While the Braves made the playoffs, the damage had already been done, as injuries continued to mount.
Both Acuna Jr. and Strider being out for at least the first month of 2025 is not ideal
We already knew that Acuna Jr. and Strider would not be ready for Opening Day, so the Braves’ decision not to rush either player back is objectively positive. Strider’s elbow injury was unusual, and this is his second arm operation, so applying the brakes is prudent. Acuna Jr. made a speedy recovery from knee surgery on his second knee in 2022, but he did not appear like himself again until his MVP performance in 2023.
According to Alex Anthopoulos, the #Braves want to bring back Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider but have not set a specific return date. It may be April, or later.
However, Bowman’s stark reality that Acuna Jr. would miss “at least” the first six weeks of the 2025 season that Strider will be out for at least a month is unsettling. Strider is unquestionably one of the Braves’ two top pitchers, behind Chris Sale, and Acuna Jr. may be the most talented player in baseball. That is a lot of productivity to begin a season without.
The good news is that no similar delays appear to be in place for Atlanta’s other injured players. Sean Murphy has an entire summer to hopefully recuperate from his oblique concerns. Austin Riley appears to be on schedule to be ready when the season begins. Joe Jimenez will be sidelined for most or all of next season, but we cannot have everything.
It is unclear how much urgency this adds to the Braves’ offseason preparations. They undoubtedly planned to add a starter this offseason anyhow, and the team normally prefers to fill rotation turns early in the season with spot starts, regardless of Strider’s status. Being without Acuna Jr. is undoubtedly more difficult to cover, but Atlanta has already been looking for outfield help this offseason and should be deep enough on offense to survive the short-term loss while Ronnie recovers.
