NEW YORK \u2014 Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr., who\u2019s been on a hitting surge since coming off the injured list, wanted badly to be in the Home Run Derby at next month\u2019s All-Star Game in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
And so the Braves star will be.<\/p>\n
After saying last week that he would participate in the July 14 Home Run Derby at Truist Park if invited, Acu\u00f1a got his invite and accepted. The derby is the day before the All-Star Game, which Acu\u00f1a also hopes to be in and appears to have a good chance based on the most recent fan-voting update<\/a>.<\/p>\n He has been an All-Star in each of his previous four full seasons in the majors.<\/p>\n Acu\u00f1a has played all 30 Braves games since being activated from the injured list May 23, after a year-long rehab from knee surgery, and before Wednesday, he was hitting .385 with nine homers and a 1.188 OPS. He led all major-league qualifiers with his .496 on-base percentage since coming off the IL.<\/p>\n It\u2019ll be the third time Acu\u00f1a has participated in the Home Run Derby, after losing to Mets slugger Pete Alonso by one homer in the 2019 semifinals, and losing again to Alonso in the first round in 2022.<\/p>\n But this one will be special for Acu\u00f1a for two reasons: It\u2019s in Atlanta, and Acu\u00f1a has only been back for just over a month following his second ACL surgery. He had the first procedure for a tear in his right ACL in 2021, and tore the left one May 26, 2024, with surgery just over a week later.<\/p>\n Acu\u00f1a and the Braves were more conservative in his rehab plan this time, stretching it out for an additional 2 1\/2 months to a full year.<\/p>\n Unlike in 2022, when Acu\u00f1a had residual soreness in his right knee that sapped his power and forced him to rest several times due to inflammation, he has shown no lingering effects of surgery this time and says he feels even better physically than he did during his 2023 NL MVP season.<\/p>\n (Photo: Todd Kirkland \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n