Cobb Reporter

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña has set himself to return for the 2022 season after a torn ACL left him sitting out of the team's World Series-winning run, a recent report on MLB.com said. 

Acuña spent the last two months taking batting practice, and he declared his readiness to return by stepping toward the first base dugout yelling, "I'm back," after the final swing of a recent batting-practice session as the ball landed beyond the left field wall. 

"If it was up to me, I'd say I'll be ready for Opening Day," Acuña told MLB.com. "But we all know that is not up to me. Either way, I'm just going to be ready for whenever the trainers and medical staff and everyone tell me I can play."

While Acuña may not be cleared to play before the Braves' season opener April 7 against the Cincinnati Reds, he said he plans to do everything in his power to convince the team he doesn't need to miss more than just a small part of the beginning of the season. 

Braves Manager Brian Snitker told MLB that Acuña was right where they wanted him to be, noting also that what he accomplished during the practice session was impressive.

Prior to the batting practices, Acuña spent the winter months rehabbing in Los Angeles, the MLB report said. With his recent successes, the young outfielder is again starting to look like the superstar he was before going down with a right ACL tear eight months ago.