Ronald Acuna provides instant thrill in long-awaited Braves return

It was quite a welcome back for Ronald Acuña Jr. on Friday.

During his first big league game in nearly a year after suffering an ACL tear last May, Acuña, 27, belted a home run into the left field stands on the first pitch he saw to open scoring for the Braves against the Padres.

As he trotted toward first base, Acuña used Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant’s signature celebration, which mimics throwing an imaginary projectile and covering his ears.

Morant re-shared the video of the home run on his X account with a fire emoji.

Acuña’s homer in the first inning was the only score for the Braves, who wound up losing to the Padres, 2-1.

Shortly before being called back up to the Braves, Acuña homered in his first rehab game for the Braves’ Florida Complex League team on May 13.

The four-time All-Star has been sidelined since last May when he tore his left ACL while taking a lead off second base during a game against the Pirates.

Acuña’s injury in 2024 was the second ACL injury of his career, as he tore the same ligament in his right knee during a game against the Marlins four years ago, causing him to miss significant portions of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The outfielder managed to fully bounce back from his first ACL tear, earning 2023 NL MVP honors after batting .337 and becoming the first 40-40 player since Alfonso Soriano in 2006.

Braves manager Brian Snitker was elated to have his franchise cornerstone back on the team.

“He’s one of those players that you better not go get a beer or whatever because you might miss something really cool, you know?” Snitker told reporters before Friday’s game. “I mean, he’s that type of force, I think, in the game. I think he’s going to energize everybody. Going to energize the fans. Going to energize his teammates.”

Teammate Austin Riley also showed excitement that the three-time Silver Slugger winner has returned.

“It’s huge,” Riley told reporters. “The talent is there. The energy he brings, having Ronald up there at the top of the lineup. … He can change a game at any point.”