Braves don’t expect Acuna, Strider to return for the 2025 opener

SAN ANTONIO – Atlanta Braves star player Ronald Acuna Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider is not expected to recover from injuries in time for the team’s season opener in San Diego on March 27.

Acuna, the 2023 National League MVP, tore his left ACL on May 26, and the 26-year-old slugger had surgery on June 6.

Strider, a right-hander who turned 26 last week, had surgery on April 12 to repair his pitching elbow. Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and said the most recent procedure used an internal brace.

“With both guys, I don’t think it’s an important time, but I think we’re confident that opening day is not realistic for them,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Tuesday at the general manager meetings. “I think, look, when we get to the spring, when you get to the beginning of February, you’re going to have a much better idea of ​​timelines. We’re planning on them not being part of the Opening Day roster and where soon after that we’ll know more as we get deeper into the offseason.”