Some notable faces will be missing on the field once the Atlanta Braves reach Opening Day. Fans will be awaiting the returns of Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. who will miss at least the first month of the 2025 season as they return from pretty major injuries.

However, both players have been recovering extremely well this spring and seem to be healthy. Strider seems to be on track to return sometime in May. Acuña was originally slated for a tentative return in the second half of the same month.

Braves fans may see Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr in action sooner than expected

MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported that it may be closer to the first half of May that Atlanta’s superstar returns to the field. Adding his bat will be a huge boost for an already potent lineup. It was hard to see the former NL MVP go down with another ACL injury but he seems to have learned a lot from this second time around.

As @Feinsand mentions here, the first half of May is starting to seem more likely than the second half of May for Acuña’s return https://t.co/HkezRejif8

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 13, 2025

According to Feinsand, manager Brian Snitker is very excited about the return of two of his best players. He practically used similar logic to former Braves broadcaster Chip Caray who would liken this to “making a trade without making a trade”.

Snitker stated, “We’re going to make two really good trades here early in the year.” He continued, “We’re going to get an MVP and a potential Cy Young Award winner back. I think everybody realizes that. Their presence in the lineup and on the team is going to probably do more than they’ve ever thought possible.”

He’s right. The impact of adding them both to the roster is going to pay dividends. We know the Braves have a general idea of when they expect both players to return but Feinsand stated, “Alex Anthopoulos is keeping that information close to the vest.”

However, Feinsand did later state sources explained “It’s reasonable to expect Strider to join the rotation sometime in late April, while Acuña’s return should come in early- to mid-May.”

Both will need some time to ramp up before returning and Strider is expected to begin a 30-day Minor League rehab assignment when the season starts, but Acuña hasn’t been cleared to play in any games yet. However, he will need some time in the minors to prepare.

Those estimates don’t feel too far off from what we’ve heard from Braves insiders. Snitker did mention there will be no limitations on either player. “We’re not going to protect them; they’re going to be ready to go.”

This is good because Atlanta will need them both to help compete for another chance at the World Series. Limiting them would only make sense if the team felt they weren’t 100% healthy.