He’s back: Braves activate former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Atlanta Braves officially activated former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. from the injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres.
The 27-year-old outfielder has not played in the majors since tearing his left ACL almost one year ago on May 26, 2024.
Acuna appeared in five games on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett, batting .417 (5-for-12) with one homer, two doubles and one RBI.
The Padres will send right-hander Nick Pivetta (5-2, 2.86 ERA) to the mound Friday. Acuna has a .233 average with no home runs and nine strikeouts in his career against the 32-year-old.
A four-time All-Star, Acuna was the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year and the 2023 Most Valuable Player.
He is a career .289/.379/.525 hitter with 165 homers, 417 RBIs and 196 stolen bases in 722 games with the Braves.
The Braves designated former All-Star infielder Orlando Arcia for assignment Friday to make room for Acuna on the 26-man roster. Arcia, 30, is batting .194 with one RBI in 14 games this season.