It was quite a welcome back for Ronald Acua Jr. on Friday. During after suffering an ACL tear last May, Acua, 27, belted a home run into the left field stands on the first pitch he saw to open scoring for the Braves against the Padres. As he trotted toward first base, Acua used Grizzlies point guard Ja Morants signature celebration, which mimics throwing an imaginary projectile and covering his ears. of the home run on his X account with a fire emoji. Ronald Acna Jr. just hit Ja Morants grenade cele after his home run Playoff MEM (@PlayoffMem) Acuna used the same celebration as Ja Morant. Explore More Acuas homer in the first inning was the only score for the Braves, who wound up losing to the Padres, 2-1. Shortly before being called back up to the Braves, for the Braves Florida Complex League team on May 13. The four-time Igor Larionov Jersey All-Star has been sidelined since last May when he tore his left ACL while taking a lead off second base during a game against the Pirates. Ronald Acuna Jr. hits a home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Atlanta. AP Acuas injury in 2024 was the second ACL injury of his career, as he tore the same ligament in his right knee during a game against the Marlins four years ago, causing him to mi s significant portions of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. to fully bounce back from his first ACL tear, earning 2023 NL MVP honors after batting .337 and becoming the first 40-40 player since Alfonso Soriano in 2006. Braves manager Brian Snitker was elated to have his franchise cornerstone back on the team. Ronald Acuna Jr. reacts after hitting a lead off home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on May 23, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images Hes one of those players that you better not go get a beer or whatever because you might mi s something really cool, you know? before Fridays game. I mean, hes that type of force, I think, in the game. I think hes going to energize everybody. Going to energize the fans. Going to energize his teammates. Teammate Austin Riley also showed excitement that the three-time Silver Slugger winner has returned. Its huge, Riley told reporters. The talent is there. The energy he brings, having Ronald up there at the top of the lineup. He can change a game at any point. Jake Furlong Jersey