Ronald Acuña Jr. Homers, Celebrates in MLB Return for Braves

Ronald Acuña Jr. made a highly anticipated return to the Atlanta Braves after nearly a year sidelined by an ACL injury, marking his comeback with a spectacular 467-foot home run on the first pitch he faced against the San Diego Padres. This homer, which gave the Braves an early 1-0 lead, electrified fans and showcased that Acuña has retained his powerful form despite his long recovery. Although the Braves ultimately lost the game 2-1, the moment was celebrated widely, with Acuña performing a grenade celebration inspired by NBA star Ja Morant and expressing his personal excitement about being back on the field. Acuña acknowledged the challenges he faced during his recovery, including frustration over being away from his team and dealing with a second major knee injury in four seasons. Postgame comments highlighted Acuña's focus on letting the game flow naturally rather than over-anticipating, and teammate Chris Sale noted the packed stadium's expectation of something special from their star. The return was a significant morale boost for the Braves and a reminder of Acuña's impact and resilience.