Braves' Acuña to Limit Base Aggression Following Knee Surgery

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is recovering from a second torn ACL and plans to be less aggressive on the bases in the upcoming season, aiming to mitigate risks associated with his injuries. Acuña, who achieved a historic 40-homer, 70-steal season in 2023, feels stable and is currently at 90-95% health but acknowledges he will focus more on hitting and fielding rather than stealing bases. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Acuña won't participate in spring training games but might serve as a designated hitter in practice settings. The team's strategy will involve an outfield rotation until Acuña's expected return in May 2025. Despite the reduced focus on base stealing, Acuña remains a potential MVP candidate if he can maintain his hitting performance. His injury history has affected his fantasy rankings, reflecting concerns about his base-running capabilities this season.