ATLANTA — Ronald Acuna Jr. is emboldened at first of his journey by means of a second main knee surgical procedure and restoration by the data he loved such a profitable comeback from his first process.
Acuña stated Thursday that hasn’t stopped the tears from flowing as he adjusts to the truth his season ended when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sunday in Pittsburgh.
After the Braves introduced Sunday night time that an MRI confirmed an entire tear within the ligament, help began to return in for Acuña, the reigning Nationwide League MVP.
“I have never gotten round to replying to a variety of these messages as a result of these messages come from a spot of help,” Acuña stated by means of an interpreter. “I simply type of break down and begin crying. … I do know they only need what’s finest for me.”
That is Acuña’s second season-ending knee harm. He tore his proper ACL on July 20, 2021, and got here again sturdy together with his 2023 MVP season. Though few gamers have needed to recuperate from torn ACLs in each knees, he stated his familiarity with the surgical procedure and rehab provides him confidence.
“I feel it has been simpler to course of this go-around as a result of I went by means of the method two years in the past,” Acuña stated.
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Acuña stated the surgical procedure can be carried out by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Tuesday. ElAttrache additionally was the surgeon for the 2021 process. Acuña expects to spend a least one month in Los Angeles as he begins his rehabilitation with hopes of returning for the beginning of the 2025 season.
Acuña was damage after opening Sunday’s 8-1 win over the Pirates with a double after which breaking from second base on a stolen base try. His left knee gave manner when he stopped in an try and return to second base.
Acuña is a local of Venezuela, and one other native of his residence nation, former catcher Wilson Ramos, is likely one of the few gamers to proceed taking part in following ACL repairs to each knees. Ramos injured his left knee in 2012 and his proper knee in 2016, every time with Washington, after which damage his left knee once more in 2021 with Cleveland.
Acuña stated he has not reached out to Ramos or some other participant for recommendation.
“Luckily for me it feels the identical as a result of I’ve already been by means of it,” he stated.
Acuña stated that regardless of “overwhelming” good needs from followers, teammates and coaches, “all that help finds me at residence crying on my own as a result of I really feel like I am the one abandoning the staff,” he stated. “It appears like I am the one letting everybody down.”
Supervisor Brian Snitker stated he worries extra about Acuña than the staff.
“He likes to play and it is robust as a result of he does know what he is in for,” Snitker stated. “It is good and unhealthy.”
Snitker expects a profitable restoration for Acuña, 26.
“He is finished it earlier than and he’ll do it once more,” Snitker stated. “He is younger and robust.”
The Braves have misplaced two key gamers to season-ending accidents. All-Star right-hander Spencer Strider’s season ended on April 13 when he had inner brace surgical procedure to restore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.
“I will take every part in stride,” Acuña stated. “It is one other alternative. Who is aware of? Perhaps I can come again and win one other MVP.”
Acuña stated “the very best of all” reminders is that the staff received the 2021 World Collection following his first harm. The offense has struggled throughout a sluggish exhibiting in Might.
“We’re right here for a purpose; each participant on that roster is right here for a purpose,” Acuña stated. “They’re definitely succesful. They do not want me to win a World Collection.”