Braves' Acuña, Strider Miss Season Opener

Atlanta Braves' star players Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are not expected to be ready for the 2025 season opener due to ongoing recovery from surgeries. Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, is recovering from ACL surgery after tearing it on May 26, 2024, and his return may be delayed until as late as June. Strider, who underwent elbow surgery in April, also faces a similar timeline for his comeback. Despite initially optimistic projections, Braves president Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that neither player's readiness for Opening Day is realistic, with more clarity expected by spring training. Both players had standout performances in 2023 but were limited by injuries in 2024. The team is already preparing to start the new season without them, which could impact their initial roster strategy.