Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider are not expected to recover from injuries in time for their team’s 2025 season opener March 27 in San Diego.
Acuña, the NL MVP in 2023, tore his left anterior cruciate ligament on May 26, and the 26-year-old power hitter underwent surgery on June 6.
Strider, a right-hander who celebrated his 26th birthday last week, underwent surgery on his right elbow on April 12. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and he said the latter procedure used an internal brace.
“I don’t think that for the two guys, the absence will be significant, but we are convinced that the opening game is not realistic for them,” said Quebecer Alex Anthopoulos, the general manager of the Braves, Tuesday. Once we get to spring there will be a much better idea of absences. They won’t be in the opening game lineup, but we’ll know more as we progress through the offseason. »
