Opening Day is less than a month away, and as has become customary for the team as of late, the Atlanta Braves are plagued by injuries. Since winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves have dealt with a significant amount of injuries that have cut their postseasons short. This past season, Atlanta was swept in the NL Wild Card series with star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. notably missing, having torn his ACL back in May.
In the preceding two seasons, the Braves fell to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series. Atlanta was missing Ozzie Albies at second base in the 2022 season after he fractured his right pinky. Right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider made only one postseason appearance that season after suffering from left oblique soreness. Finger injuries plagued the pitching staff in 2023. Charlie Morton missed the postseason with a sprained finger. Max Fried, who spent three months that season on the IL with a left forearm strain, also injured his finger, but returned to make one postseason start.
Atlanta has found a way to thrive in spite of injuries in the past. Just ask the 2021 squad, who won the title without Acuña, who was recovering from his first ACL tear. However, a healthy team is always ideal, so as the 2025 season quickly approaches, let’s look at who’s hurt, when they will return, and who the Braves can’t afford to lose to injury this season.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Of course, the most notable absence for the Braves is Acuña, who last suited up for the Atlanta squad last May. It is likely that the total time of the outfielder’s recovery will be an entire year, putting his return at mid-to-late May. When Acuña tore his left ACL, he was gone for approximately 10 months, but he experienced lingering discomfort that the organization is hoping to avoid this time. Acuña was asked about the timeline of his return in February. “It’s hard,” Acuña said. “I’m working hard every day. I’m working to be ready for when they come.”
The latest injury to plague the Braves is that of their starting catcher. Murphy suffered a cracked rib in a hit by pitch on Feb. 28. Atlanta will be without its starting catcher for Opening Day, as Murphy is expected to miss 4-6 weeks and return in April. “You hate it for the player,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “They like to play. That’s how they are wired. I know he had a really great mindset coming in this spring. It’s just something we’ll have to deal with.”
Strider, once an essential part of Atlanta’s rotation, missed nearly the entirety of the 2024 season after suffering a bone fragment last April that resulted in UCL right elbow surgery. The righty, who had a 3.86 ERA over 186 ⅔ IP in 2023, is expected to return in late April, just over a year after his injury. It will be a welcome return to the rotation.
The Braves’ longtime third baseman fractured his hand in August after being struck by a fastball. The following month, Snitker announced that the two-time All-Star would not return for the remainder of the season, another brutal loss for the Braves. Thankfully, Riley is expected to return for Opening Day, having made a full recovery.
Setup RHP Jiménez underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee back in October. He will not return before August and could miss the entirety of the 2025 season.
Jurickson Profar Profar was a huge offseason pickup for the Braves, who acquired the San Diego Padres outfielder in a three-year, $42 million deal. The switch-hitter was brought to Atlanta in hopes of providing a solid replacement for Acuña until his return, likely in May. Acuña has become an Atlanta legend, and filling his shoes as the founding member of the 40/70 club is no easy task. Profar, however, is an MLB veteran with 13 years of pro experience under his belt. He is likely to replace not only Acuña’s place in the field, but also his leadoff batting position. It is essential that Profar remains healthy for the Braves this season, at least until Acuña rejoins the team. Apart from a few minor knee issues, Profar has had no problem staying healthy throughout the course of his career. Hopefully, this continues as he begins his tenure with the Braves.
With Atlanta’s rotation still looking for answers ahead of Opening Day, the pitching staff will seek Sale for stability. The 35-year-old southpaw is coming off of his first season with the Braves, during which he became the first Atlanta pitcher to win the NL Triple Crown since 1902. Sale was also named the NL’s Cy Young Award Winner after receiving 26 of the 30 first-place votes. The MLB veteran suffered back spasms at the end of last season but looked as good as new when he took the mound for the first time in Spring Training, throwing two perfect innings. In a rotation that is still not set, Sale provides an example of a successful starter and a seasoned pitcher. His health would provide a sense of security to the Braves this season.
Albies has a long history with injuries since he made his MLB debut with Atlanta back in 2017. Last season, the star second baseman played just 99 games due to two IL stints with a toe fracture and wrist fracture. In 2022, Albies played even less, recording only 64 games due to a bone bruise in his right wrist. When healthy, Albies is a huge contributor to the Braves. He is a three-time All-Star, has won two Silver Slugger Awards, and has recorded two 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons. Nearly just as importantly, Albies is a familiar face and fan favorite. He is entering his ninth season with Atlanta and serves as a clubhouse leader, something the team needs, especially with Acuña injured.
