Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. hits a home run that rewrites MLB history

The Atlanta Braves finally have Ronald Acuña Jr. back—one of the players not only Braves fans were eager to see again, but the entire MLB world had been waiting for. And the best part? He wasted no time making history, launching a home run in his first game back from injury.

In the Braves’ matchup against the Padres, home fans were buzzing with anticipation to see Acuña Jr. step up to the plate. The Venezuelan star made his return count, delivering a moonshot that proved he’s not just healthy—he’s better than ever. It was a powerful reminder that he’s ready to compete at the highest level again after his knee injury.

Though the Braves ultimately lost the game 2-1, Acuña Jr.’s homer was more than just a highlight—it was historic. According to OptaStats, he became the first player in MLB history to miss 150+ games and then hit a leadoff home run in his first game back.

Acuña Jr.’s Return Was Strong

Yes, the Braves fell short by a run, but Acuña Jr. made a big impact in his return. He went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a home run and just one strikeout, finishing the night with a .500 batting average. He was clearly the Braves’ top performer in the series opener against the Padres.

In right field, Acuña Jr. looked sharp as usual. He’s expected to be available not just for the remainder of the Padres series, but also for the upcoming road series against the Phillies, which begins May 27.

When Was Acuña Jr.’s Last Home Run?

Before this latest blast, Acuña Jr.’s last home run came nearly a year ago—on May 24, in what ended up being his third-to-last game of the 2024 season before the knee injury. That season was limited to just 49 games, in which he hit only four home runs.