The Atlanta Braves may face challenges on Opening Day 2025 due to the absence of key players Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. The team may have to wait longer to see both players play after major injuries sidelined them for most of 2024.
Acuña is showing symptoms of recovery even after knee surgery in May to fix a torn ACL. In 49 games in 2024 the star outfield hit.250 with four home runs and sixteen steals. Most dynamic and MVP ex-braves. Without him, ATL was frail. He comes back for this season but not on Opening Day.
Excellent Atlanta Braves pitcher Strider missed most of 2024 after elbow surgery in April. In 2023, Strider was a rookie All-Star and fourth in Cy Young voting. The Braves struggled without him in 2024. Elbow surgery made the 26-year-old stronger. His 2025 return is likely, but he’ll miss Opening Day.
Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves’ general manager, said neither player’s return is urgent. He added, “They will not be on the roster on Opening Day,” and that they hope to know more by February, when spring training begins. This cautious approach ensures Acuña and Strider return to the team in peak condition.
Due to knee surgery, reliever Joe Jiménez will miss the 2025 season for the Braves. Due to Jiménez’s long absence, Atlanta may need to add bullpen players this winter.
Atlanta will play the Padres on March 27 in their season opener. Several issues must be addressed immediately. When Acuña and Strider are unavailable, they will require capable replacements. But the team is optimistic because they know these stars’ return could boost them midseason.
Fans and the Braves anticipate that Acuña and Strider’s extended recovery will enhance their return. Early season Braves performance may depend on how well the team fills those gaps.
