Warriors star Acuña Jr. started the first game of the rehab game

Ronald Acuña Jr., who returned to play after nearly a year, not only crossed the recovery milestone, but also announced his return with a home run that flew over the outfield wall. The 2023 Nations League MVP winner will kick off the triple-A Gwinnett's rehabilitation journey on Thursday.

Acuña made his rehab debut in a Warriors Florida Multi-League jersey Tuesday night at Cool Today Park in Northport, Florida, with a 3-on-1 hit that included five innings that flew over the wall of the midfield. Warriors coach Brian Snitker has confirmed that his rehabilitation plan will be upgraded to triple-A tier, with the exact return to the major leagues depending on how well defensive endurance in the right field returns.

"This is a young man who has been away from the game for a long time," Snitke said, "and the body needs to get used to the intensity of baseball, and it's going to take a gradual process." "

This was Acuña's first competitive game since a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee away to Pittsburgh on May 26, 2024, and he played as a right fielder until he retired in six games, accumulating three strokes. The Warriors will gradually ramp up their load in the spring-training mode, with MLB rules limiting the fielder's rehabilitation to 20 days, with Acuña activating by June 1 at the latest.

Despite continuing to practice striking since spring training, Acuña was not allowed to practice sprint and outfield defence until last month, when he received medical clearance from orthopedic surgeon Neal El Attrache. This earth-shattering first hit of rehabilitation has made Atlanta's expectations for the core to return to the core in advance.