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When will Acuna Jr., Strider, and Norby return and play? Will Acuna Jr., Strider, and Norby be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 1 of the 2025 MLB season.
The Tokyo Series was a fun way to start the 2025 MLB regular season, but the rest of the league got the bulk of the regular season started this week. Some teams are still missing key pieces as the action begins, though, including both the Braves and the Marlins in the NL East. Let's take a look at the latest on the injuries to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, along with Connor Norby of the Miami Marlins
As all fantasy baseball players are well aware, injuries are an unfortunate but very normal part of fantasy baseball. Successfully navigating injuries and surviving the absence of key contributors is critical to success, and planning for them to make maximum impact on their return. Keeping on top of all the injury news can help you correctly value players for redraft or dynasty leagues.
Both Strider and Acuna were taken early in most fantasy baseball drafts, and Norby was a very popular later-round pick since he could be on the verge of a breakout season in his first full year in Miami. While all three players started the season on the IL, they still have fantasy baseball value, so let's take a look at how you should approach each situation.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Acuna is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered late last May in a game against the Pirates. He was running the bases and attempting to stop and get back to second base when his leg crumpled awkwardly underneath him. It was the dreaded "non-contact injury" and turned out to be a torn ACL in his left knee.
Acuna tore the ACL in his right knee in 2021 and was able to return to win NL MVP in 2023 with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases.
He had the same procedure on his other knee and is looking to return as soon as possible this season. Initially, this spring, it looked like he could even make a push for the team's Opening Day roster, but the team is being patient so that he can return at full strength.
"As far as at-bats, he's probably ready to go right now."
Braves manager Brian Snitker said the Braves are being patient with Ronald Acuña Jr. because they want to get him back whole. pic.twitter.com/YdsrfbqASj
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 20, 2025
The good news for those hoping for an early comeback is that the Braves only put him on the 10-day injured list to start the season. While he will likely need much longer than the 10-day minimum, it's a good sign that he won't need a couple of months like if they had placed him on the 60-day injured list.
Acuna had a little bit of a down year when he returned mid-season from his last ACL injury, hitting .266 with 15 homers, 29 stolen bases, and a .332 wOBA before really going off in the MVP season the following year. His speed is a huge part of his game, so hopefully, he takes the time to be fully ready before returning.
While the team has been careful not to lock him into a specific timeline, GM Alex Anthopoulos has said that May is a realistic target, but that April seems too aggressive. If he does end up back by mid-May at 100 percent, he still has plenty of time to make a big fantasy impact on your season.
If you drafted Acuna early, you're probably locked into holding onto him at this point unless he suffers a significant setback. Until he's ready to return, the Braves are planning to have Jurickson Profar hit leadoff and play left field.
When Acuna is ready to return, Profar could move to second in the lineup or drop lower in the order, depending on how things are going at that point. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will platoon in right field until he returns.
Spencer Strider Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
The Braves lost both Acuna and Strider to huge injuries last season, and now both are working their way back. Strider made two starts last season and only pitched nine innings before needing a procedure on his elbow. Instead of full-blown Tommy John surgery, which usually comes with an 18-month recovery, Strider had an internal brace procedure to stabilize his damaged ulnar collateral ligament.
That procedure only requires a nine to 12-month recovery.
Since he's close to 12 months after the procedure, Strider is not far from a return. In fact, he was able to get in two starts in the Grapefruit League. He was understandably a little rusty, but he also showed off electric stuff with good movement and velocity on his pitches. He struck out 10 of the 17 batters he faced in two games against the Orioles and Red Sox.
Spencer Strider, Slider & Curveball Overlay.
Good look at the different shapes. pic.twitter.com/ikEMnViwqM
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 23, 2025
Strider still started the season on the 10-day injured list since he's not back to full strength yet, but a return doesn't seem very far away. While it depends on how his rehab outings unfold and how his elbow recovers, he could be available to join the rotation within the first half of April. He will probably start a game or two at Triple-A, and if all goes well, he'll be ready to return.
To start the season, Atlanta has a rotation of Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes. When Strider is ready, the 22-year-old Smith-Shawver will likely head back to the minors to continue his development.
Connor Norby Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Norby was acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline last year, and he was expected to be one of the team's best bats this season. He jumped right into the top part of the Miami batting order last year and was very productive. Unfortunately for him and the Marlins' early-season lineup, he won't be available for about a month after sustaining an oblique strain just before Opening Day.
Not what you want to see five days before Opening Day.
Connor Norby is leaving the game with the training staff after being shaken up on a slide into third base. Seemed to have stretched out that right side while holding onto the bag. pic.twitter.com/dl2TyRtbMk
— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) March 22, 2025
Norby clarified later that the injury first occurred on the swing that resulted in the triple, but the awkward dive could have made the injury worse. He'll miss about four weeks, according to manager Clayton McCullough, and he will likely need a rehab stint since he won't be swinging the bat while he's sidelined.
Norby was expected to be the team's everyday third baseman this season after hitting .236 with nine homers and three stolen bases in 45 games. In Triple-A, he hit .293 with 17 homers and 13 stolen bases.
If you can stash him on IL for the first month of the season, he will still be a solid contributor when he returns, but check the waiver wire to see what other options are available since he isn't at a level where he is irreplaceable in most mixed leagues.
While he is out, the Marlins could use Jonah Bride or Eric Wagaman at third, and the team also kept prospect Graham Pauley on the roster to help fill in while Norby is out.
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