ATLANTA – Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr. will have to wait at least six more months before enjoying the sensation of playing a baseball game. But in the meantime, he will do whatever he can to help his fellow Braves, who were happy to have him join them in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series Sunday night at Truist Park.
“Honestly, this is one of the most difficult moments of my career, being here in the stadium and not being able to help the guys on the field,” said Acuña. “But there is nothing one can do. So I can just be here and support them like I’m playing. “
Acuña still limps slightly while walking as he continues to recover from a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee he sustained on July 10 in Miami. But the 23-year-old superstar was still showing that classic smile of his as he interacted with his fellow Braves teammates and fellow Venezuelan Josef Martinez, who also suffered a ligament tear in one knee during a game with MLS ‘Atlanta United in March 2020.
After spending the first two months after the operation rehabilitating in California, Acuña returned to Atlanta to continue a process that will take at least 10 months. The opportunity to train at Truist Park has allowed him to interact with his teammates and coaches.
“I feel good, but the truth is that I feel as good as I felt two months ago,” explained Acula. “It is a process that goes little by little. But if I had to put a percentage on it, I’d say I’m like 70%. But that’s just my personal opinion on how I’m feeling. About when I am going to return and where I am now, I leave those things to the doctors and the trainers ”.
Acuña was ready to start the All-Star Game in the National League lineup before injuring himself three days before the Midseason Classic. He was making strong arguments to fight for the NL MVP and solidifying his status as one of the game’s big stars.
If Acuña continues to improve over the next several weeks, expect to start jogging in December. What progresses through the winter could determine when he could return to Atlanta’s lineup. The expectation is that it will continue to be in action at least until May.
“I don’t have a date in mind,” Acuña said. “It is a knee. The knee is something very important for the structure and stability of any athlete. So I’m sure I’m going to take my time. “
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