Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. made a spectacular return after nearly a year following knee surgery.
Acuña Jr. started as the number one right fielder in a home game against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 24th (Korea time).
Acuña Jr. hit a solo home run over the left-field wall off San Diego starter Nick Pivetta's first pitch fastball (93.1 mph) in the first inning. The ball had an exit velocity of 115.5 mph (approximately 185.9 km/h) and traveled 467 feet (approximately 142.3 m), marking an enormous home run.
Most importantly, in his first at-bat after nearly a year of rehabilitation following left knee anterior cruciate ligament surgery on May 27 last year, he hit a home run on the first pitch. Atlanta home fans gave a standing ovation. As Acuña Jr. ran to first base, he expressed his own surprise by firmly grasping his helmet with both hands while watching the home run ball. It was exactly one year since his last home run on May 25 last year.
He came up as a lead-off hitter in the third inning, recording a multi-hit game with a single to center field. In the fifth inning, he was out on a ground ball to the shortstop.
Acuña Jr. played nine innings in rehab games in Triple-A before his return to Major League Baseball. He had planned to play one more game in the minor leagues, but Atlanta decided on the 23rd to call Acuña Jr. up on the 24th.
According to MLB.com, Acuña Jr. said before the game, "Honestly, I barely slept last night. I woke up early this morning and was so excited to go to the ballpark. I am really happy."
Acuña Jr. appeared in 159 games in 2023, batting .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases, achieving an OPS of 1.012 and winning the National League MVP award. He became the first in Major League history to achieve the milestone of 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases.
After undergoing surgery for a torn right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury on July 11, 2021, Acuña Jr. underwent surgery again last year for a torn left knee anterior cruciate ligament at the end of May.
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